Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 49

291. L. M. Drummond.

Faith and Works.

1 One cup of healing oil and wine, One tear-drop shed on mercy's shrine, Is thrice more grateful, Lord, to Thee, Than lifted eye or bended knee.

2 In true and genuine faith we trace The source of every Christian grace; Within the pious heart it plays, A living fount of joy and praise.

3 Kind deeds of peace and love betray Where'er the stream has found its way; But where these spring not rich and fair, The stream has never wandered there.

292. 7s. M. W. Roscoe.

The Golden Rule.

1 Thus said Jesus:--"Go and do As thou wouldst be done unto:"

Here thy perfect duty see, All that G.o.d requires of thee.

2 Wouldst thou, when thy faults are known, Wish that pardon should be shown?

Be forgiving, then, and do As thou wouldst be done unto.

3 Shouldst thou helpless be and poor, Wouldst thou not for aid implore?

Think of others, then, and be What thou wouldst they should to thee.

4 For compa.s.sion if thou call, Be compa.s.sionate to all; If thou wouldst affection find, Be affectionate and kind.

5 If thou wouldst obtain the love Of thy gracious G.o.d above, Then to all His children be What thou wouldst they should to thee.

293. C. M. Peabody.

Who Is My Neighbor?

1 Who is thy neighbor? he whom thou Hast power to aid or bless; Whose aching heart or burning brow Thy soothing hand may press.

2 Thy neighbor? 'tis the fainting poor, Whose eye with want is dim; O, enter thou his humble door, With aid and peace for him.

3 Thy neighbor? he who drinks the cup When sorrow drowns the brim; With words of high, sustaining hope, Go thou and comfort him.

4 Thy neighbor? 'tis the weary slave, Fettered in mind and limb; He hath no hope this side the grave; Go thou and ransom him.

5 Thy neighbor? pa.s.s no mourner by; Perhaps thou canst redeem A breaking heart from misery; Go, share thy lot with him.

294. C. M. R. C. Trench.

The Law of Love.

2 Kings, iv. 3.

1 Pour forth the oil,--pour boldly forth; It will not fail, until Thou failest vessels to provide Which it may largely fill.

2 Make channels for the streams of love, Where they may broadly run; And love has overflowing streams, To fill them every one.

3 But if at any time we cease Such channels to provide, The very founts of love for us Will soon be parched and dried.

4 For we must share, if we would keep That blessing from above; Ceasing to give, we cease to have;-- Such is the law of love.

295. C. M. Anonymous.

Words and Deeds.

1 Beneath the thick but struggling clouds, We talk of Christian life; The words of Jesus on our lips, Our hearts with man at strife.

2 Traditions, forms, and selfish aims, Have dimmed the inner light; Have closely veiled the spirit-world And angels from our sight.

3 Strong souls and willing hands we need, Our temple to repair; Remove the gathering dust of years, And show the model fair.

4 We slumber while the present calls, But darkness grows with rest; Wouldst thou see truth? To action wake,-- Do the divine behest.

296. P. M. Anonymous.

Heaven on Earth.

1 This world is not a fleeting show, For man's illusion given; He that hath soothed a widow's woe, Or wiped an orphan's tear, doth know There's something here of heaven.

2 And he who walks life's th.o.r.n.y way With feelings calm and even, Whose path is lit, from day to day, By virtue's bright and steady ray, Feels something here of heaven.

3 He that the Christian course hath run, And all his foes forgiven, Hath measured out this life's short span In love to G.o.d and love to man, On earth has tasted heaven.