1 I love to hear the story how the Lord from heaven came
And did not fear to visit men in all their sin and shame;

tto

But touched the sick and made them well, the blind, and they did see,
And said of little children "Suffer them to come to Me."

2 I love to think of Jesus as my gentle Shepherd Lord

Who leads in heavenly pastures those who love to hear His Word:
And when I am in sorrow, and sore trouble makes me fear,
"Be not afraid, My child, for I am near!"

I hear Him say:

3 I love to speak to Him alone in word of song and prayer
In darkest night and roughest way, for He is with me there;
And so He guides me that each day I may not fail to see
The way to heaven, that where He is, there also I may be.

A Shepherd Band.

From HUTCHINS' S. S. Hymnal.

ff

546

1 A shepherd band their flocks are keep- 5 Thro' field and wood the
ing,

And gentle lambs are sweetly sleeping;
When suddenly they all behold

An angel in bright robes with harp of
gold.

2 Glad tidings of great joy he bringeth,
The azure vault with anthems ringeth;
"Emmanuel" awakes the song,
And countless hosts the glorious theme
prolong.

3 "To you this day is born a Saviour,
Your Prophet, Priest, and King for-
ever;"

"All glory be to God," they cry;
"All glory be to God," let earth re-
ply.

4 "On earth be peace with mercy blend-
ing,

Good-will to men, and love unending;"
Thus sweetly sing the angel throng,
And all the heavenly host rehearse the
song.

6

eth,

O'er hill and vale the chorus boundeth;
Exultingly the echoes roll,

And hymns of triumph spread from pole to pole.

The shepherds view the host returning,
Their hearts with holy ardour burning;
To Bethlehem they wend their way,
Repeating with glad tongues th' angelic
lay.

7 In haste they seek the heavenly Stran-
ger;

8

They find the Babe laid in a manger;
With wonder and with awe they fall,
And joyfully adore Him, Lord of all!
Now every voice with rapture swell-

eth,

For Christ the Lord with mortals dwell-
eth;

Let men and angels Him adore,
And shout their glad Hosannas ever-

more,

1 Child Jesus comes from heavenly height 2 Take courage, soul in grief cast down,