4 A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask, and they will not be denied ;
Lord Jesus, may we love and weep,
Since thou for us art crucified.
Easter Even.
"And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it
in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new
tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock. And
there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,
sitting over against the sepulchre."
ESTING from his work to-day
In the tomb the Saviour lay;
Still he slept, from head to feet
Shrouded in the winding-sheet,
Lying in the rock alone,
Hidden by the sealèd stone.
2 Late at even there was seen
Watching long the Magdalene;
Early, ere the break of day,
Sorrowful she took her way
To the holy garden glade,
Where her buried Lord was laid.
3 So with thee, till life shall end,
I would solemn vigil spend:
Let me hew thee, Lord, a shrine
In this rocky heart of mine,
Where in pure embalmèd cell
None but thou may ever dwell.
4 Myrrh and spices will I bring,
True affection's offering;
Close the door from sight and sound
Of the busy world around;
And in patient watch remain
Till my Lord appear again.
"Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in
linen clothes with the spices."
AIN and toil are over now;
Bring the spice and bring the myrrh,
Fold the limb and bind the brow,
In the rich man's sepulchre.
2 Sin has bruised the victor's heel;
Roll the stone and guard it well;
Bring the Roman's boasted seal,
Bring his boldest sentinel.
3 Yet the morning's purple ray
Shall present a glorious sight,
Stone by earthquake roll'd away,
Angel guards all robed in white.
"And laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out
LL is o'er, the pain, the sorrow,
Human taunts and Satan's spite;
Death shall be despoiled to-morrow
Of the prey he grasps to-night.
Yet once more, his own to save,
Christ must sleep within the grave.
2 Fierce and deadly was the anguish
On the bitter cross he bore:
How did soul and body languish,
Till the toil of death was o'er!
But that toil, so fierce and dread,
Bruised and crushed the serpent's head.
3 Close and still the tomb that holds him
While in brief repose he lies;
Deep the slumber that enfolds him,
Veiled awhile from mortal eyes:
Slumber such as needs must be
After hard-won victory.
4 So this night, with voice of sadness
Chant the anthem soft and low;
Loftier strains of praise and gladness
From to-morrow's harps shall flow:
Death and hell at length are slain,
Christ hath triumphed, Christ doth reign.
"I would not live alway."
WOULD not live alway: I ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the
The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here
Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its
cheer.
2 I would not live alway, thus fetter'd by sin,
Temptation without and corruption within:
E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears,
And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears.
3 I would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb : Since Jesus hath lain there, I dread not its
There, sweet be my rest, till he bid me arise
To hail him in triumph descending the skies.
4 Who, who would live alway, away from his
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains,
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns;
5 Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren, transported, to greet; While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul.
"Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day
and night before thee."
From the lxxxviii. Psalm.
OD of my life, O Lord most high,
To thee by day and night I cry;
Vouchsafe my mournful voice to hear,
To my distress incline thine ear.
2 Like those whose strength and hopes are fled, They number me among the dead;
Like those who, shrouded in the grave,
From thee no more remembrance have.
3 Wilt thou by miracle revive
The dead, whom thou forsook'st alive?
Shall the mute grave thy love confess,
A mouldering tomb thy faithfulness?
4 To thee, O Lord, I cry forlorn,
My prayer prevents the early morn:
Why hast thou, Lord, my soul forsook,
Nor once vouchsafed a gracious look ?
5 Companions dear and friends beloved
Far from my sight thou hast removed;
God of my life, O Lord most high,
Vouchsafe to hear my mournful cry!
"I have set God always before me: for he is on my
right hand, therefore I shall not fall.”
Y grateful soul shall bless thee, Lord,
Whose precepts give me light;
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.
2 Therefore my heart all grief defies,
My glory does rejoice;
My flesh shall rest, in hope to rise,
Waked by his powerful voice.
3 Thou, Lord, when I resign my breath,
My soul from hell shall free;
Nor let thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.
4 Thou shalt the paths of life display
Which to thy presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.
"When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness.'
HIS life's a dream, an empty slow;
But the bright world to which I go
Hath joy substantial and sincere :
When shall I wake and find me there?
2 O glorious hour! O blest abode !
I shall be near and like my God,
And flesh and sense no more control
The sacred pleasures of the soul.
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