5 "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth, 6 In worship so divine Let saints employ their tongues; 7 "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth, 204 L. M. Christmas Hymn. ANONYMOUS. 1 IT comes, the long-expected morn, 2 The Messenger of God's design, The conquering Hero, Prince of Peace, The Shiloh, sprung from Judah's line, Appears, and all our sorrows cease. 3 He comes the broken heart to bind, The mourning penitent to seek, From sin to free the captive mind, And preach good tidings to the meek. 4 The desert blooms, and from the ground Burst mantling pools and murmuring streams; The Sun of righteousness around Shines on the world with healing beams. 5 While angels, in harmonious choirs, Sing, "This is God's own Son confessed, The Savior, whom the world desires, The Seed, in whom all men are blessed," 6 Like them with transport let us cry, - 205 MILTON, P. M. Altered by Rev. Dr. Gardiner. Angels proclaiming the Birth of Christ. 1 NO war nor battle's sound Was heard the world around; No hostile chiefs to furious combat ran; In which the Prince of light 2 The shepherds on the lawn, In social circle sat; while all around, Or cropped the flowery food, Or slept or sported on the verdant ground, 3 When, lo! with ravished ears, Sweet music, offspring of no mortal hand; Answering the stringed noise, With blissful rapture charmed the listening band. 4 They saw a glorious light Harping in solemn choir, in robes arrayed, And sworded seraphim Are seen in glittering ranks, with wings displayed. 5 Sounds of so sweet a tone Before were never known, But when of old the sons of morning sung, Each constellation fair, And the well-balanced world on hinges hung. 6 "Hail, hail, auspicious morn! The Savior Christ is born!" Such was the immortal seraph's song sublime; "Glory to God in heaven! To man sweet peace be given, Sweet peace and friendship to the end of time." 206 P. M. MRS. HEMANS. Christmas Hymn. 1 O LOVELY voices of the sky, 2 O clear and shining light, whose beams Around the palms, and o'er the streams, Be near, through life and death, Of hope, and joy, and faith- 3 O star which led to him whose love In heaven thou art not set; O star which led to him! 207 C. M. Nativity of Christ. PATRICK. 1 WHILE shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, 2 "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind,"Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. 3 "To you, in David's town, this day The Savior, who is Christ the Lord; 4 "The heavenly Babe you there shall find All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, 5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith 6 "All glory be to God on high, Good-will henceforth, from heaven to men, 208 L. M. The Nativity. T. CAMPBELL. 1 WHEN Jordan hushed his waters still, And silence slept on Zion's hill, When Bethlehem's shepherds, through the night, 2 Hark! from the midnight hills around, Wild murmuring o'er the raptured soul. 3 On wheels of light, on wings of flame, The glorious hosts of Zion came; High heaven with songs of triumph rung, While thus they struck their harps and sung: 4 "O Zion, lift thy raptured eye; The long-expected hour is nigh; The joys of nature rise again; The Prince of Salem comes to reign. |