"Being fruitful in every good work."-COL. i. 10.
WORK is sweet, for God has blest
Honest work with quiet rest-
Rest below, and rest above,
In the mansions of His love,
When the work of life is done,
When the battle's fought and won.
Work ye, then, while yet 'tis day,
Work, ye Christians, while ye may,
Work for all that's great and good,
Working for your daily food,
Working whilst the golden hours,
Health and strength, and youth, are yours.
Working not your work for gold,
Nor for pelf that's bought and sold,
Not the work that worketh strife,
But the working of a life,
Careless both of good or ill,
f ye can but do His will.
Working ere the day is gone,
Working till your work is done,
Not the work that pain imparts,
But the work of honest hearts,
Working till your spirits rest
With the spirits of the blest. Amen.
"Tell me where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon."CANT. i. 7.
ALL praise to God, in light array'd,
Who light His dwelling-place hath made:
A boundless ocean of bright beams
From Thee, all-glorious Godhead, streams.
The sun in its meridian height
Is very darkness in Thy sight;
My soul, oh, lighten and inflame
With thought and love of Thy great Name.
Shine on me, Lord; new life impart,
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart;
One ray of Thy all-quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.
By influence of the light divine,
Oh, let my light to others shine-
Reflect all heaven's propitious rays,
In ardent love and cheerful praise.
Direct, control, suggest this day,
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might
In Thy sole glory may unite.
"Peace from the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."-TIT. i. 4.
"The sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."-EcCLES. i. 5.
FATHER, by Thy love and power
Comes again the evening hour:
Light has vanish'd, labours cease,
Weary creatures rest in peace.
Thou, whose genial dews distil
On the lowliest weed that grows,
Father, guard our couch from ill,
Lull Thy creatures to repose.
We to Thee ourselves resign;
Let our latest thoughts be Thine.
Saviour, to Thy Father bear
This our feeble evening prayer:
Thou hast seen how oft to-day
We like sheep have gone astray;
Worldly thoughts, and schemes of pride,
Wishes to Thy Cross untrue,
Secret faults and undescried,
Meet Thy spirit-piercing view;
Blessed Saviour, yet through Thee
Grant that these may pardon'd be.
Holy Spirit, breath of balm,
Fall on us in evening's calm:
Yet awhile, before we sleep,
We with Thee will vigils keep:
Lead us on our sins to muse,
Give us truest penitence;
Then the love of God infuse,
Breathing humble confidence ;
Melt our spirits, mould our will,
Soften, strengthen, comfort, still.
Through the hours of darkness drear;
Then, when shrinks the lonely heart,
Thou more clearly present art.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Watch o'er our defenceless heads,
Let Thy Angels' guardian host
Keep all evil from our beds
Till the flood of morning rays
Wake us to a song of praise.
"It is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety."— Ps. iv. 9.
THE day is past and over:
All thanks, O Lord, to Thee!
pray Thee now, that blameless
The hours of sleep may be.
O JESU! keep me in Thy light,
And guard me through the coming night!
The joys of day are over:
I lift my heart to Thee;
I pray Thee now, that sinless
The hours of gloom may be.
O JESU! make their darkness bright,
And guard me through the coming night!
The toils of day are over:
All thanks, O Lord, to Thee;
I pray Thee now that harmless
The hours of dark may be.
O JESU! keep me in Thy light,
And guard me through the coming night!
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