6 O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be thou our Guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home. Amen.

Isaac Watts, 1719; Psalm 90

446

C.M.

GOD of Bethel, by whose hand
Thy people still are fed;

Who through this weary pilgrimage

Hast all our fathers led:

2 Our vows, our prayers, we now present
Before thy throne of grace:
God of our fathers, be the God
Of their succeeding race.

3 Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.

4 O spread thy sheltering wings around,
Till all our wanderings cease,
And at our Father's loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace!

5 Such blessings from thy gracious hand
Our humble prayers implore;
And thou shalt be our chosen God,
And portion evermore. Amen.

447

FOR

Philip Doddridge, 1786; John Logan, 1781

Four 7's

thy mercy and thy grace,
Faithful through another year,
Hear our song of thankfulness;
Jesus, our Redeemer, hear.

2 Lo! our sins on thee we cast,
Thee our perfect Sacrifice;
And, forgetting all the past,
Press towards our glorious prize.

3 Dark the future; let thy light
Guide us, bright and morning Star:
Fierce our foes, and hard the fight;
Arm us, Saviour, for the war.

4 In our weakness and distress,
Rock of strength, be thou our stay;
In the pathless wilderness

Be our true and living way.

5 Who of us death's awful road

In the coming year shall tread, With thy rod and staff, O God, Comfort thou his dying bed.

6 Keep us faithful, keep us pure,
Keep us evermore thine own,
Help, O help us to endure;
Fit us for the promised crown.

Amen.

Henry Downton, 1841

448

ATHER, let me dedicate
All this year to thee,

FA

7.5.7.5 D.

In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be:
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Freedom dare I claim;

This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify thy Name.

2 Can a child presume to choose
Where or how to live?
Can a Father's love refuse
All the best to give?
More thou givest every day
Than the best can claim,
Nor withholdest aught that may
Glorify thy Name.

3 If in mercy thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine;
If on life, serene and fair,
Brighter rays may shine;
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Thee in all proclaim,

And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify thy Name.

4 If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home;
Let me think how thy dear Son
To his glory came,

And in deepest woe pray on,
Glorify thy Name.

Amen.

Laurence Tuttiett, 1864

449

5.5.8.8.5.5

JESUS, still lead on,

Till our rest be won;

And, although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless;
Guide us by thy hand

To our Fatherland.

2 If the way be drear,

If the foe be near,

Let not faithless fears o'ertake us,
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a woe

To our home we go.

3 When we seek relief
From a long-felt grief;

When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.

4 Jesus, still lead on,

Till our rest be won:
Heavenly Leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand

In our Fatherland. Amen.

N. L. von Zinzendorf, 1721; Tr. Jane Borthwick, 1846

Also the following

483 God is working his purpose out

Ember-days and Ordination

450

L

L.M.

ORD, pour thy Spirit from on high, And thine ordainèd servants bless; Graces and gifts to each supply,

And clothe thy priests with righteousness.

2 Within thy temple when they stand,
To teach the truth as taught by thee,
Saviour, like stars in thy right hand,
Let all thy Church's pastors be.

3 Wisdom, and zeal, and faith impart, Firmness and meekness from above, To bear thy people in their heart,

And love the souls whom thou dost love; 4 To watch, and pray, and never faint, By day and night strict guard to keep, To warn the sinner, cheer the saint, To feed thy lambs, and fold thy sheep. 5 So, when their work is finished here,

They may in hope their charge resign; So, when their Master shall appear, They may with crowns of glory shine.

451

GOD

Amen.

James Montgomery, 1833

Four 10's

OD of the prophets! Bless the prophets' sons:

Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast;

Each age its solemn task may claim but

once:

Make each one nobler, stronger than the last!

2 Anoint them prophets! Make their ears

attent

To thy divinest speech; their hearts awake

To human need; their lips make eloquent To assure the right, and every evil break.

3 Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they

For pardon, and for charity and peace! Ah, if with them the world might pass, astray,

Into the dear Christ's life of sacrifice!