THE

SUPPLEMENTARY HYMNAL.

The Greater ANTIPHONS, at Even-song, for the last Eight days of ADVENT.

O Wisdom! which comest forth out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things, Come and teach us the way of prudence.

O LORD and Ruler of the House of Israel! Who appearedst unto Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and gavest unto him the Law in Sinai; Come and redeem us with a stretched-out arm.

O Root of Jesse! Who standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom Kings shall shut their mouths, unto Whom the Gentiles shall pray; Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel! Thou that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth; Come and loose the prisoner from

B

the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness, from the shadow of death.

O Orient, Brightness of the Eternal Light, and Sun of Righteousness! Come and lighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

Dec. 21.

O REX GENTIUM.

O King of the Gentiles and their Desire, the Corner Stone, Who madest both one, Come and save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth.

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver the Desire of all Nations, and their Saviour; Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Dec. 23.

O PASTOR ISRAEL.

O Shepherd of Israel, and Ruler in the House of David, Whose goings forth have been of old, from the days of Eternity, Come and feed Thy people in strength, and reign in Justice and Judgment.

Epiphany.

"They presented unto Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

2 BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning! Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;

Star of the east, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant REDEEMER is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining,
Low lies His bed with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,

Maker, and Monarch, and SAVIOUR of all.

Offer Him gifts then in costly devotion,
Odours of Edom, and incense divine;

Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning!
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant REDEEMER is laid.

Heber.

"Gentiles shall come to Thy light; and kings to the brightness of Thy rising."

3

Lo! the pilgrim Magi

Leave their royal halls,
And with love devoutest

Bethlehem's lowly walls
Seek with eager footsteps;

While firm Faith, which rests,

Built on Hope unswerving,

Triumphs in their breasts.

Oh! what joys extatic

Thrilled each heart from far
When, to guide their footsteps,

Gleamed that Beacon Star
O'er that Home so holy,
Pouring down its ray,
In His Mother's bosom,
Where the Infant lay.

There no ivory glistens
Glows no regal gold,
Nor doth gorgeous purple
Those fair limbs enfold;

But His Court He keepeth,
In a stable bare,

His throne is a manger,
Rags His purple are.

Costly pomps and pageants,
Earthly kings array;
He, a mightier Monarch,
Hath a nobler sway.
Straw though be His pallet,
Mean His garb may be,
Yet with power transcendent,
He all hearts can free.

At His crib they worship,
Prostrate on the floor;
And a GOD there present,
In that Babe adore,
Let us to that Infant,

We, their offspring true,
Hearts with faith o'erflowing
Give our tribute due.

Holiest Love presenting,
As Gold to our King,
To the Man pure bodies,
Myrrh-like, chastely bring;
Unto Him, as Incense,

Vow and prayer address;
So, with offerings meetest,
This our GoD confess.

Glory to the FATHER,
Fount of Light alone;
Who unto the Gentiles,
Made His glory known.
Equal praise and merit,
Blessed SoN, to Thee,

And to Thee, SWEET SPIRIT,
Evermore shall be.

Amen.

J. D. Chambers,