Saintly maiden, godly matron,

Widows who have watched to prayer, Joined in holy concert, singing

To the Lord of all, are there.

3 Marching with thy cross, their banner,
They have triumphed, following
Thee, the Captain of salvation,

Thee, their Saviour and their King.
Gladly, Lord, with thee they suffered;
Gladly, Lord, with thee they died.
And by death to life immortal
They were born and glorified.

4 Now they reign in heavenly glory,
Now they walk in golden light,
Now they drink, as from a river,
Holy bliss and infinite:

Love and peace they taste for ever,
And all truth and knowledge see

In the beatific vision

Of the blessed Trinity.

Christopher Wordsworth, 1862

298

Eight 7's

WHO

THO are these in bright array,
This innumerable throng,
Round the altar, night and day,
Tuning their triumphant song?
"Worthy is the Lamb, once slain,
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches to obtain,

New dominion every hour."

2 These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now before the throne of God,
Sealed with his eternal Name:

Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor palms in every hand,

Through their great Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.

3 Hunger, thirst, disease, unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living fountains lead:
Joy and gladness banish sighs;
Perfect love dispels their fears,
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away all tears.

James Montgomery, 1819, alt.

299

L'

C.M.

ET saints on earth in concert sing With those whose work is done; For all the servants of our King

In heaven and earth are one.

2 One family, we dwell in him,
One Church, above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream of death.

3 One army of the living God,
To his command we bow;

Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.

4 E'en now to their eternal home
There pass some spirits blest;
While others to the margin come,
Waiting their call to rest.

5 Jesus, be thou our constant Guide;
Then, when the word is given,
Bid Jordan's narrow stream divide,
And bring us safe to heaven. Amen.
Charles Wesley, 1759

300

Lo! what a cloud of witnesses

Encompass us

Men once like us with suffering tried,
But now with glory crowned.

2 Let us, with zeal like theirs inspired,
Strive in the Christian race;
And, freed from every weight of sin,
Their holy footsteps trace.

3 Behold a Witness nobler still,
Who trod affliction's path;
Jesus, the author, finisher,
Rewarder of our faith.

C.M.

4 He, for the joy before him set,
Ánd moved by pitying love,
Endured the cross, despised the shame,
And now he reigns above.

5 Thither, forgetting things behind,
Press we to God's right hand;

There, with the Saviour and his saints,
Triumphantly to stand.

301

Scotch Paraphrase, 1745

C.M.

GIVE

IVE me the wings of faith to rise
Within the veil, and see

The saints above, how great their joys,
How bright their glories be.

2 Once they were mourning here below,
And wet their couch with tears;
They wrestled hard, as we do now,
With sins, and doubts, and fears.

3 I ask them whence their victory came;
They, with united breath,
Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,
Their triumph to his death.

4 They marked the footsteps that he trod,
His zeal inspired their breast;
And, following their incarnate God,
Possess the promised rest.

5 Our glorious Leader claims our praise
For his own pattern given,

While the long cloud of witnesses
Show the same path to heaven.

302

H°

Isaac Watts, 1709

C.M.D.

[OW bright these glorious spirits shine!
Whence all their white array?

How came they to the blissful seats
Of everlasting day?

Lo, these are they from sufferings great,
Who came to realms of light:

And in the blood of Christ have washed Those robes which shine so bright.

2 Now with triumphal palms they stand
Before the throne on high,

And serve the God they love amidst
The glories of the sky.

His presence fills each heart with joy,
Tunes every mouth to sing;

By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad hosannas ring.

3 The Lamb which reigns upon the throne Shall o'er them still preside;

Feed them with nourishment divine,
And all their footsteps guide.
'Mong pastures green he'll lead his flock,
Where living streams appear;

And God the Lord from every eye
Shall wipe off every tear.

Isaac Watts, 1707, and William Cameron, 1781

Also the following

85 The Son of God goes forth to war 266 Ye watchers and ye holy ones

III. SACRAMENTS AND
RITES

Holy Communion

INTROITS

To be sung with the appropriate doxology.

303

A

C.M.

PPROACH, my soul, the mercy-seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;

There humbly fall before his feet,
For none can perish there.

2 Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;

Thou callest burdened souls to thee,
And such, O Lord, am I.