Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 29

Hark to nature's lesson given By the blessed birds of heaven!

Every bush and tufted tree Warbles trust and piety: Children, banish doubt and sorrow,-- G.o.d provideth for the morrow.

2 One there lives, whose guardian eye Guides our earthly destiny; One there lives, who, Lord of all, Keeps his children lest they fall: Pa.s.s we, then, in love and praise, Trusting him, through all our days, Free from doubt and faithless sorrow,-- G.o.d provideth for the morrow.

180. L. M. Peabody.

Religious Influences of Nature.

1 G.o.d of the fair and open sky!

How gloriously above us springs The tented dome, of heavenly blue, Suspended on the rainbow's rings!

Each brilliant star, that sparkles through Each gilded cloud that wanders free In evening's purple radiance, gives The beauty of its praise to thee.

2 G.o.d of the rolling orbs above, Thy name is written clearly bright In the warm day's unvarying blaze, Or evening's golden shower of light: For every fire that fronts the sun, And every spark that walks alone Around the utmost verge of heaven, Were kindled at thy burning throne.

3 G.o.d of the world, the hour must come, And nature's self to dust return; Her crumbling altars must decay; Her incense-fires shall cease to burn; But still her grand and lovely scenes Have made man's warmest praises flow, For hearts grow holier as they trace The beauty of the world below.

181. 7s. & 6s. M. Conder.

"Day unto day uttereth speech."

1 The heavens declare his glory, Their Maker's skill the skies: Each day repeats the story, And night to night replies.

Their silent proclamation Throughout the earth is heard; The record of creation, The page of nature's word.

2 There, from his bright pavilion, Like eastern bridegroom clad, Hailed by earth's thousand million, The sun sets forth; right glad, His glorious race commencing, The mighty giant seems; Through the vast round dispensing His all-pervading beams.

3 So pure, so soul-restoring Is truth's diviner ray; A brighter radiance pouring Than all the pomp of day: The wanderer surely guiding, It makes the simple wise; And evermore abiding, Unfailing joy supplies.

182. L. M. 6l. Heber.

The Visible World a Shadow of the Invisible.

1 I praised the earth in beauty seen, With garlands gay of various green; I praised the sea, whose ample field Shone glorious as a silver shield; And earth and ocean seemed to say, "Our beauties are but for a day."

2 I praised the sun, whose chariot rolled On wheels of amber and of gold; I praised the moon, whose softer eye Gleamed sweetly through the summer sky; And moon and sun in answer said, "Our years are told when we must fade."

3 O G.o.d, O, good beyond compare!

If thus thy meaner works are fair,-- If thus thy bounties gild the span Of sinful earth and mortal man,-- How glorious must thy mansion be Where thy redeemed shall dwell with thee.

183. L. M. Moore.

Nature a Temple.

1 The turf shall be my fragrant shrine; My temple, Lord, that arch of thine, My censor's breath the mountain airs, And silent thoughts my only prayers.

My choir shall be the moonlight waves, When murmuring homeward to their caves, Or when the stillness of the sea, E'en more than music breathes of thee.

2 I'll seek, by day, some glade unknown.

All light and silence like thy throne, And the pale stars shall be, at night, The only eyes that watch my rite.

Thy heaven, on which 'tis bliss to look, Shall be my pure and shining book, Where I can read, in words of flame, The glories of thy wondrous name.

3 There's nothing bright, above, below, From flowers that bloom, to stars that glow, But in its light my soul can see Some feature of thy Deity.

There's nothing dark, below, above, But in its gloom I trace thy love, And meekly wait that moment, when Thy touch shall turn all bright again.

THE SCRIPTURES.

184. C. M. Tate & Brady.

Perfection of G.o.d's Law.

1 G.o.d's perfect law converts the soul, Reclaims from false desires; With sacred wisdom his sure word The ignorant inspires.

2 The statutes of the Lord are just, And bring sincere delight; His pure commands, in search of truth, a.s.sist the feeblest sight.

3 His perfect worship here is fixed, On sure foundations laid; His equal laws are in the scales Of truth and justice weighed.

4 Of more esteem than golden mines, Or gold refined with skill; More sweet than honey, or the drops That from the comb distil.

5 My trusty counsellors they are, And friendly warnings give; Divine rewards attend on those, Who by thy precepts live.

185. L. M. Watts.

Nature and Scripture. Ps. 19.