Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion Part 72

427. L. M. Mrs. Hemans.

Earth's Nameless Martyrs.

1 The kings of old have shrine and tomb In many a minster's haughty gloom; And green, along the ocean-side, The mounds arise where heroes died; But show me on thy flowery breast, Earth! where thy nameless martyrs rest!

2 The thousands that, uncheered by praise, Have made one offering of their days; For truth, for heaven, for freedom's sake, Resigned the bitter cup to take; And silently, in fearless faith, Have bowed their n.o.ble souls to death.

3 O, haply all around lie strewed The ashes of that mult.i.tude!

It may be that each day we tread Where thus devoted hearts have bled, And the sweet flowers the children sow Take root in holy dust below.

4 What though no stone the record bears Of their deep thoughts and lonely prayers, May not our inmost hearts be stilled, With knowledge of their presence filled, And by their lives be taught to prize The meekness of self-sacrifice?

428. 6s. M. Luther.

The Martyrs' Ashes.

1 Flung to the heedless winds, Or on the waters cast, Their ashes shall be watched, And gathered at the last; And from that scattered dust, Around us and abroad, Shall spring a plenteous seed Of witnesses for G.o.d.

2 The Father hath received Their latest living breath; Yet vain is Satan's boast Of victory in their death; Still, still, though dead, they speak, And, trumpet-tongued, proclaim To many a wakening land The one prevailing name.

429. C. M. Moravian.

The n.o.ble Army of Martyrs.

1 Glory to G.o.d! whose witness-train, Those heroes bold in faith, Could smile on poverty and pain, And triumph even in death.

2 O, may that faith our hearts sustain, Wherein they fearless stood When, in the power of cruel men, They poured their willing blood.

3 G.o.d, whom we serve, our G.o.d, can save; Can damp the scorching flame, Can build an ark, or smooth the wave, For such as love His name.

4 Yea, should it even to man appear, At times, as though the Lord Forsook His chosen servants here, We yet will trust His word.

5 Lord! if Thine arm support us still With its eternal strength, We shall o'ercome the mightiest ill, And conquerors prove, at length.

430. S. M. Graham.

G.o.d With Us on the Deep.

1 Heave, mighty ocean, heave!

And blow, thou boisterous wind!

Onward we swiftly glide, and leave Our home and friends behind.

2 Away, away we steer, Upon the ocean's breast; And dim the distant heights appear, Like clouds along the west.

3 There is a loneliness Upon the mighty deep; And hurried thoughts upon us press, As onward still we sweep.

4 But there is hope and joy, Wherever we may be; Danger nor death can e'er destroy Our trust, O G.o.d, in Thee!

5 Then wherefore should we grieve Or what have we to fear?

Though home and friends and life we leave, Our G.o.d is ever near.

6 Sweep, mighty ocean, sweep!

Ye winds, blow foul or fair!

Our G.o.d is with us on the deep, Our home is everywhere.

431. P. M. Mrs. Southey.

The Mariner's Hymn.

1 Launch thy bark, mariner!

Christian, G.o.d speed thee!

Let loose the rudder bands, Good angels lead thee!

Set thy sails warily, Tempests will come; Steer thy course steadily, Christian, steer home!

2 Look to the weather bow, Breakers are round thee; Let fall thy plummet now, Shallows may ground thee.

Reef in thy foresail there; Hold the helm fast; So,--let the vessel wear,-- By swept the blast.

3 Slacken no sail yet, at Inlet or island; Straight for the beacon steer,-- Straight for the highland; Crowd all the canva.s.s on, Cut through the foam;-- Christian! cast anchor now; Heaven is thy home!

432. 8 & 7s. M. Sterling.

The Husbandman's Hymn.

1 Many a power within earth's bosom, Noiseless, hidden, works beneath; Hence are seed and leaf and blossom, Golden ear and cl.u.s.tered wreath.

2 Wind and frost, and hour and season, Land and water, sun and shade,-- Work with these, as bids thy reason, For they work thy toil to aid.