And a glory shone around them
On the grass as they were laid!
And a holy Angel found them,
And their hearts were sore afraid.
"Fear ye not," he said, “for cheerful
Are the tidings that I bring,
Unto you, so weak and fearful,
CHRIST is born, the LORD and KING."
As the Angel told the story
Of the SAVIOUR's lowly birth,
Multitudes were singing "Glory
Be to GOD, and peace on earth!"
Since THY love for our salvation,
SAVIOUR, covered THEE with shame,
Let THY Church, in every nation,
Sing the glory of THY Name;
Let THY HOLY SPIRIT make us
Full of humbleness and love,
Like THYSELF, until THOU take us
To our FATHER'S house above. Amen.
350 There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear LORD was crucified
Who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell
What pains He had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
That we might go at last to Heaven,
Saved by His precious Blood.
There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of Heaven, and let us in.
O, dearly, dearly has He loved,
And we must love HIM too,
And trust in His redeeming Blood,
And try His works to do.
351 WHO is this so weak and helpless, Child of lowly Hebrew Maid, Rudely in a stable sheltered,
Coldly in a manger laid?
'Tis the LORD of all Creation,
WHO this wondrous path hath trod;
HE is GOD from everlasting,
And to everlasting, GOD.
WHO is this a Man of Sorrows,
Walking sadly life's hard way,
Homeless, weary, sighing, weeping
Over sin and Satan's sway?
'Tis our GOD, our glorious Saviour,
Risen above the starry sky,
To prepare the many mansions,
Where no tear can dim the eye.
WHO is this-behold HIM raining
Drops of Blood upon the ground?
WHO is this despised, rejected,
Mocked, insulted, beaten, bound?
'Tis our GOD, WHO gifts and graces
On His Church now poureth down;
WHO shall smite in holy vengeance
All His foes beneath His Throne.
WHO is this that hangeth dying,
With the thieves on either side;
Nails His Hands and Feet are tearing,
And the spear hath pierced His Side?
'Tis the GOD WHO ever liveth
'Mid the shining ones on high, In the glorious golden City Reigning everlastingly!
352 Come, sing with holy gladness,
High alleluias sing,
Uplift your loud hosannas
TO JESUS, LORD and KING;
Sing, boys, in joyful chorus
Your hymn of praise to-day,
And sing, ye gentle maidens,
Your sweet responsive lay.
'Tis good for boys and maidens
Sweet hymns to CHRIST to sing;
'Tis meet that children's voices,
Should praise the children's KING;
For JESUS is salvation,
And glory, grace, and rest;
To babe, and boy, and maiden,
The One REDEEMER blest.
O boys, be strong in JESUS;
To toil for HIM is gain,
And JESUS wrought with Joseph,
With chisel, saw, and plane;
O maidens, live for JESUS,
WHO was a Maiden's Son;
Be patient, pure and gentle,
And perfect grace begun.
Soon in the golden city
The boys and girls shall play,
And through the dazzling mansions
Rejoice in endless day;
O CHRIST, prepare THY children
With that triumphant throng
To pass the burnished portals,
And sing th' eternal song. Amen.
353 From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down the golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain!
What, though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Java's isle,
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile:
In vain with lavish kindness,
The gifts of GOD are strown,
The Heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone!
Can we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Can we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! oh, Salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim
Till each remotest nation
Has learnt MESSIAH'S Name.
Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till like a sea of glory
It spreads from pole to pole;
'Till o'er our ransomed nature,
The LAMB for sinners slain,
REDEEMER, KING, CREATOR,
In bliss returns to reign! Amen.
ALMIGHTY GOD, WHOSE Only SON
O'er sin and death the triumph won,
And ever lives to intercede
For souls who THY sweet mercy need;
|