6 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be thou our Guide while life shall last, Isaac Watts, 1719; Psalm 90 446 C.M. GOD of Bethel, by whose hand Who through this weary pilgrimage Hast all our fathers led: 2 Our vows, our prayers, we now present 3 Through each perplexing path of life 4 O spread thy sheltering wings around, 5 Such blessings from thy gracious hand 447 FOR Philip Doddridge, 1786; John Logan, 1781 Four 7's thy mercy and thy grace, 2 Lo! our sins on thee we cast, 3 Dark the future; let thy light 4 In our weakness and distress, 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, Amen. Henry Downton, 1841 448 ATHER, let me dedicate FA 7.5.7.5 D. In whatever worldly state This alone shall be my prayer, 2 Can a child presume to choose 3 If in mercy thou wilt spare And, whate'er the future brings, 4 If thou callest to the cross, And in deepest woe pray on, 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, To our Fatherland. 2 If the way be drear, If the foe be near, Let not faithless fears o'ertake us, To our home we go. 3 When we seek relief When temptations come alluring, 4 Jesus, still lead on, Till our rest be won: 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, 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! |