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EPWORTH SONGS.

FOR USE IN

THE EPWORTH LEAGUE,

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE, THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL,

AND IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL.

EDITED BY

JOSEPH F. BERRY AND CHAS. H. GABRIEL.

CINCINNATI, CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS: CRANSTON & CURTS.

NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON.

Copyright, 1893, by Cranston & Curts.

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him.

L. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

R. Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

L. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

R. O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

2. PRAISING GOD.

Leader. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Response. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joy ful noise unto him with psalms.

L. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. R. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

L. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.

R. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.

L. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.

R. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

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L. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

R. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

L. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. R. O give thanks unto the Lord, for his mercy endureth forever.

3. WINNING SOULS. Leader. For we are laborers together

with God.

Response. The field is the world.

L. Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.

R. He first findeth his own brother, Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias. And he brought

him to Jesus.

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L. Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

R. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as

the stars, for ever and ever.

L. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

R. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

L. His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

R. And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

4. ALL FOR JESUS.

Leader. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.

Response. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.

L. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.

S

RESPONSIVE READINGS.

R. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

L. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

L. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.

R. Love not the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

L. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

R. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

5. TRIUMPHS OF THE GOSPEL. Leader. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; Response. And the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

L. It shall blossom abundantly, R. And rejoice even with joy and singing. L. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

R. And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

L. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart,

R. And the tongue of the dumb sing. L. For in the wilderness shall waters break out,

R. And streams in the desert.

L. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

R. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace.

L. The mountains and the hills shall break before you into singing, and all the trees of the fields shall clap, their hands.

R. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree.

All. And it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

6. OUR SYMPATHIZING FRIEND. Leader. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

Response. Like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom.

L. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

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R. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

L. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

R. Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

L. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. R. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you re

L. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

R. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever. L. In his love and his pity he redeemed them.

R. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

7. PENTECOSTAL MEETING. Leader. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.

daughters shall prophesy, and your young Response. And your sons and your

shall dream dreams. men shall see visions, and your old men

L. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

R. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

L. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

R. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

L. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

R. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them ut

terance.

L. Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

R. Hereby know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

8. BLESSED PEOPLE. Leader. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Response. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

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RESPONSIVE READINGS.

L. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

R. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

L. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

R. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

L. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.

R. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

L. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

R. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

A FRATERNAL SERVICE.

[May be read responsively at Conventions or when one Chapter visits another. It may also be used when a Chapter visits a society of another denomination.]

1st Section. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

2d Section. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

1st Sec. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts. I will go also.

SING NO. 42.

2d Sec. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

Ist Sec. While they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

2d Sec. Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?

1st Sec. For I long to see you,

2d Sec. That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Ist Sec. So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

2d Sec. And there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.

CONSECRATION SERVICE.

▾ Leader. Covet earnestly the best gifts. Response. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

L. Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

R. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

L. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

R. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall than snow. be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter

L. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

R. The sacrifices of God are a broken

heart; a broken and a contrite heart thou wilt not despise.

All. Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; with my song will I praise him. therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and

SING OUR CONSECRATION HYMN,
No. 22.

CONSECRATION PRAYER.

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.

[With the Cabinet and Candidates in proper | This organization is designed for the reposition, the President shall say :]

Dear Friends,-You are about to become members of a vast army of young people, known as the Epworth League, with Chapters in every part of the world,

ligious, intellectual, and social upbuilding of our young people. Wherever you may go, you will be very apt to find Epworthians, and this will secure for you the companionship of young Christians

RESPONSIVE READINGS.

who will at once become interested in | your social and religious welfare. The First Vice-President will give you our motto, and Scripture references illustrating its meaning.

of

First Vice-President. The motto the Epworth League is, "LOOK UP; LIFT UP." You will find it on our badge, which I now present you.

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My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow." President. Our Second Vice-President will now instruct you with reference to the League idea.

Second Vice-President. The League idea is based upon the law of Christian fellowship, which is a most potent factor in helping us to become what God designed us to be. Spiritually, intellectually, and socially, the associations of the Epworth League are delightful and helpful. The young people of our Church are brought into closer relations with each other, and in their zeal to look up and lift up, social distinctions are forgotten, selfish ambitions are lost, heart beats with heart, pulse throbs with pulse, and all because our faith, aims, and service are one.

Third Vice-President. The colors of the Epworth League consist of a narrow white ribbon, through the center of which, from end to end, runs a red silken thread. The signification is beautiful. The white ribbon symbolizes the desire of every Epworthian to become pure in heart, in thought, in life, earnestly striving for

A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine;

Perfect and right and pure and good
A copy, Lord, of thine."

The red silken thread is emblematical of the "blood of Jesus Christ, his Son," which "cleanseth from all sin."

Fourth Vice-President. I place in your hands our Constitution. In it you will find the Epworth wheel -a diagram

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representing the workings of the League. At the center of the organization stand the President, pastor, and Junior League Superintendent. Surrounding them are four Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. These constitute the Cabinet. There are six departments of work; namely, those of Spiritual Work, Mercy and Help, Literary Work, Social Life, Correspondence, and Finance. Through the work planned in these various departments we seek the symmetrical development of Christian character. With their practical workings you will become more familiar as you give them your personal attention, which we trust you will do.

[In case the Chapter has adopted the pledge, the President shall address the candidates for admission, and say:]

We understand that you desire to become active members of our Chapter? Answer. I do.

President. That we may mutually understand and help each other, will you answer I will to each of the following questions:

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Will you earnestly seek for yourself, and do what you can to help others attain, the highest New Testament standard of expe

rience and life?

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Will you attend, as far as possible, the religious meetings of the Chapter and Church, and take some part in the same?

[Whether the Chapter has adopted the pledge or not, the President shall close the service as follows:]

President. In the name of our Chapter and of all true Epworthians, I extend to you the right hand of fellowship, and welcome you to membership in this great army of young soldiers. I take pleasure in assigning you to the Department of and I trust our fellowship will be mutually profitable and a blessing to God's Church.

.

[Following this service a ten-minute reception may be held.]

RECOGNITION OF OFFICERS.

IF convenient, the Recognition Service should be held on Sunday evening, and the whole congregation invited to be present and participate.

The Secretary may read the names of the newly-elected officers, and they will respond by coming forward to the altar.

The Secretary should then read the action of the Quarterly Conference approving the President elect.

RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE READING.

Leader. Lord, who shall abide in thy | eousness, and speaketh the truth in his tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Congregation (standing). He that walketh uprightly, and worketh right

heart.

Officers elect (standing). And who is sufficient for these things?

Leader. Ye shall receive power after

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