So Famine waits, and War with greedy eyes, Till some repenting heart be ready for the skies. Think ye the spires that glow so bright No-where th' upholding grace is won, From many a rural nook unthought of there, Rises for that proud world the saints' prevailing prayer. On champions blest, in Jesus' name, Short be your strife, your triumph full, No world of passions to destroy, Your prayers and struggles o'er, your task all praise and joy. HOLY COMMUNION. O GOD of Mercy, God of Might, For now thy people are allow'd Fresh from th' atoning sacrifice The world's Creator bleeding lies, May take him for his daily bread. O agony of wavering thought When sinners first so near are brought! "It is my Maker-dare I stay? "My Saviour-dare I turn away ?" Thus while the storm is high within My mother Church? and hear thee tell And doubt we yet? thou call'st again; Whispering it says to each apart, h" God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." See the sentences in the Communion Service, after the Confession. i Come unto me, all ye that travail, and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Hear them, kind Saviour-hear thy spouse Thine own dear promise she would plead For us her true though fallen seed. She pleads by all thy mercies, told Love's heralds sent to man forgiven, One from the Cross, and one from heaven *. This, of true Penitents the chief, Lifting on high th' adored name :— "Sinners to save, Christ Jesus came'." That, dearest of thy bosom Friends, Into the wavering heart descends : "What? fall'n again? yet cheerful rise ", "Thine Intercessor never dies." k St. Paul and St. John. 1 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. m If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The eye of Faith, that waxes bright And with them every spirit blest, To the poor babe, who died to-day, Take part in our thanksgiving lay, Watching the tearful joy and calm, While sinners taste thine heavenly balm. Sweet awful hour! the only sound Refresh us, Lord, to hold it fast; |