Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 49

296. L. M. Bowring.

Progress of Gospel Truth.

1 Upon the Gospel's sacred page The gathered beams of ages shine; And, as it hastens, every age But makes its brightness more divine.

2 Truth, strengthened by the strength of thought, Pours inexhaustible supplies, Whence sagest teachers may be taught, And Wisdom's self become more wise.

3 More glorious still as centuries roll, New regions blest, new powers unfurled, Expanding with the expanding soul, Its waters shall o'erflow the world;

4 Flow to restore, but not destroy; As when the cloudless lamp of day Pours out its floods of light and joy, And sweeps each lingering mist away.

297. L. M. Watts.

Universal Reign of Christ.

1 Great G.o.d, whose universal sway The known and unknown worlds obey; Now give the kingdom to thy Son; Extend his power, exalt his throne.

2 The heathen lands, that lie beneath The shades of overspreading death, Revive at his first dawning light, And deserts blossom at the sight.

3 The saints shall flourish in his days, Dressed in the robes of joy and praise; Peace, like a river, from his throne Shall flow to nations yet unknown.

298. 10s. M. Pope.

Predicted Glory of the Messiah's Kingdom.

1 Rise, crowned with light, imperial Salem, rise!

Exalt thy towering head, and lift thine eyes!

See heaven its sparkling portals wide display, And break upon thee in a flood of day!

2 See a long race thy s.p.a.cious courts adorn, See future sons and daughters yet unborn, In crowding ranks on every side arise, Demanding life, impatient for the skies!

3 See barbarous nations at thy gates attend, Walk in thy light, and in thy temples bend!

See thy bright altars thronged with prostrate kings, While every land its joyous tribute brings.

4 The seas shall waste, the skies to smoke decay, Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away But fixed his word, his saving power remains, Thy realm shall last, thy own Messiah reigns.

299. 8s., 7s. & 4s. M. Kelly.

Encouraging Prospects.

1 Yes, we trust the day is breaking; Joyful times are near at hand; G.o.d, the mighty G.o.d, is speaking, By his word, in every land: When he chooses, Darkness flies at his command.

2 While the foe becomes more daring, While he enters like a flood, G.o.d, the Saviour, is preparing Means to spread his truth abroad: Every language Soon shall tell the love of G.o.d.

3 G.o.d of Jacob, high and glorious, Let thy people see thy hand; Let the gospel be victorious, Through the world, in every land; Then shall idols Perish, Lord, at thy command.

300. 7s. & 6s. M. Anonymous.

Universal Hallelujah.

1 When shall the voice of singing Flow joyfully along?

When hill and valley, ringing With one triumphant song, Proclaim the contest ended, And Him, who once was slain, Again to earth descended, In righteousness to reign?

2 Then from the craggy mountains The sacred shout shall fly, And shady vales and fountains Shall echo the reply: High tower and lowly dwelling Shall send the chorus round, The hallelujah swelling In one eternal sound.

301. C. M. Watts.

Prospect of Universal Blessedness.

1 Lo! what a glorious sight appears To our believing eyes!

The earth and seas are pa.s.sed away, And the old rolling skies.

2 From the third heaven, where G.o.d resides That holy, happy place, The new Jerusalem comes down, Adorned with shining grace.

3 "The G.o.d of glory down to men Removes his blessed abode; Men, the dear objects of his grace, And he, the loving G.o.d.

4 "His own soft hand shall wipe the tears From every weeping eye; And pains and groans, and griefs and fears, And death itself shall die."

5 How long, dear Saviour, O how long Shall this bright hour delay?

Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day.

302. L. M. Richards.