"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."

177 How bright these glorious spirits shine Whence all their white array ?

How came they to the blissful seats

Of everlasting day?

Lo, these are they from sufferings great,
Who came to realms of light:

And in the blood of Christ have washed
Those robes which shine so bright.

Now with triumphal palms they stand
Before the throne on high,

And serve the God they love amidst
The glories of the sky.

His presence fills each heart with joy,
Tunes every mouth to sing;
By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad Hosannas ring.

The Lamb which reigns upon the throne
Shall o'er them still preside;

Feed them with nourishment divine,
And all their footsteps guide.
'Mong pastures green He'll lead His flock,
Where living streams appear;
And God the Lord from every eye
Shall wipe off every tear. Amen.

"We are compassed about with so great a cloud of

witnesses."

187 FOR all the saints, who from their labours rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confess'd, Thy name, O Jesu, be forever bless'd. Alleluia.

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, the Light of light. Alleluia.

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia.

O blest Communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia.

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are
Alleluia.

strong.

The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes the rest; Sweet is the calm of Paradise the bless'd.

Alleluia.

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day; The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on His way.

Alleluia.

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Alleluia. Amen.

· After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and kindred and people and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."

189 HARK! the sound of holy voices, Chanting o'er the crystal sea, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia, Lord, to Thee:

Multitude, which none can number,
Like the stars in glory stands,
Clothed in white apparel, holding
Palms of victory in their hands.

Patriarch, and holy Prophet,

Who prepared the way of Christ, King, Apostle, Saint, Confessor,

Martyr and Evangelist,

Saintly maiden, godly matron,

Widows who have watched to prayer,

Joined in holy concert, singing
To the Lord of all, are there.
They have come from tribulation,

And have wash'd their robes in blood,
Wash'd them in the blood of Jesus;

Tried they were, and firm they stood;
Mock'd, imprison'd, stoned, tormented,
Sawn asunder, slain with sword,
They have conquer'd death and Satan
By the might of Christ the Lord.
Marching with Thy cross their banner,
They have triumph'd following
Thee, the Captain of salvation,
Thee, their Saviour and their King,
Gladly, Lord, with Thee they suffer'd;
Gladly, Lord, with Thee they died;
And by death to life immortal
They were born and glorified.
Now they reign in heavenly glory,
Now they walk in golden light,
Now they drink, as from a river,
Holy bliss and infinite:

Love and peace they taste forever,
And all truth and knowledge see
In the beatific vision

Of the blessed Trinity. Amen.

"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." 190 GLORIOUS things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God:

He, whose word cannot be broken,
Form'd thee for His own abode;
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
Thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
See the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove;
Who can faint, while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t' assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear,
For a glory and a covering,

Showing that the Lord is near.

Wash'd in the Redeemer's blood!

Blest inhabitants of Zion,

Jesus, Whom their souls rely on,

Makes them kings and priests to God.

Amen.

"O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."

191 I LOVE Thy kingdom, Lord,

The house of Thine abode,

The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious Blood.