181.

THOU to whom the sick and dying
Ever came, nor came in vain,
Still with healing words replying
To the wearied cry of pain,
Hear us, Jesu, as we meet,
Suppliants at Thy mercy-seat.

Still the weary, sick, and dying
Need a brother's, sister's care;

On Thy higher help relying,
May we now their burden share,
Bringing all our offerings meet,
Suppliants at Thy mercy-seat.

May each child of Thine be willing,
Willing both in hand and heart,
All the law of love fulfilling,
Every comfort to impart,

Ever bringing offerings meet,
Suppliant to Thy mercy-seat.

So may sickness, sin, and sadness
To Thy healing power yield,
Till the sick and sad, in gladness,
Rescued, ransomed, cleansèd, healed,

One in Thee together meet,

Pardoned at Thy judgment seat.

GODFREY THRING, 1870.

182.

LORD, shall Thy children come to Thee?
A boon of love divine we seek ;
Brought to Thine arms in infancy,

Ere heart could feel, or tongue could speak,
Thy children pray for grace, that they
May come themselves to Thee to-day.

Lord, shall we come? and come again?
Oft as we see yon table spread,

And, tokens of Thy dying pain,

The wine poured out, the broken bread, Bless, bless, O Lord, Thy children's prayer, That they may come and find Thee there.

Lord, shall we come? not thus alone
At holy time, or solemn rite,
But every hour till life be flown,

Through weal or woe, in gloom or light,
Come to Thy throne of grace, that we
In faith, hope, love, confirmed may be ?

Lord, shall we come? come yet again?
Thy children ask one blessing more;
To come, not now alone, but then,

When life, and death, and time are o'er;
Then, then to come, O Lord, and be
Confirmed in heaven, confirmed by Thee.

BISHOP SAMUEL HINDS, 1834: (Stanza 3 added by H. J. BUCKOLL, circ. 1843).

183.

THINE for ever! God of love,

Hear us from Thy throne above:
Thine for ever may we be,
Here and in eternity.

Thine for ever! Lord of life,

Shield us through our earthly strife;
Thou the Life, the Truth, the Way,
Guide us to the realms of day.

Thine for ever! O how blest
They who find in Thee their rest!
Saviour, Guardian, heavenly Friend,
O defend us to the end.

Thine for ever! Saviour, keep

These Thy frail and trembling sheep;
Safe alone beneath Thy care,

Let us all Thy goodness share.

Thine for ever! Thou our Guide,

All our wants by Thee supplied,
All our sins by Thee forgiven,
Lead us, Lord, from earth to heaven.

MARY F. MAUDE, 1847.

184.

SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,

And put your armour on,

Strong in the strength which God supplies, Through His eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of hosts,

And in His mighty power:

Who in the strength of Jesus trusts

Is more than conqueror.

Stand then in His great might, With all His strength endued ; And take, to arm you for the fight, The panoply of God.

From strength to strength go on,
Wrestle, and fight, and pray;

Tread all the powers of darkness down,

And win the well-fought day;

That having all things done,

And all your conflicts past,

Ye may o'ercome, through Christ alone,

And stand entire at last.

CHARLES WESLEY, 1749.

185.

WHEN Thy soldiers take their swords,
When they speak the solemn words,
When they kneel before Thee here,
Feeling Thee their Father near;

These Thy children, Lord, defend ;
To their help Thy Spirit send.

When the world's sharp strife is nigh,
When they hear the battle-cry,
When they rush into the fight,
Knowing not temptation's might;

These Thy children, Lord, defend;
To their zeal Thy wisdom lend.

When their hearts are lifted high
With success or victory;

When they feel the conqueror's pride ;—
Lest they grow self-satisfied,

These Thy children, Lord, defend;
Teach their souls to Thee to bend.

When the vows that they have made,
When the prayers that they have prayed,
Shall be fading from their hearts;
When their first warm faith departs;

These Thy children, Lord, defend;
Keep them faithful to the end.

Through life's conflict guard us all;
Or if wounded some should fall
Ere the victory be won,

For the sake of Christ Thy Son

These Thy children, Lord, defend,
And in death Thy comfort lend.

FRANCES M. OWEN, 1872.