Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 63

1 There is a hope, a blessed hope, More precious and more bright Than all the joyless mockery The world esteems delight.

2 There is a star, a lovely star, That lights the darkest gloom, And sheds a peaceful radiance o'er The prospects of the tomb.

3 There is a voice, a cheering voice, That lifts the soul above, Dispels the painful, anxious doubt, And whispers, "G.o.d is love."

4 That voice, aloud from Calvary's height, Proclaims the soul forgiven; That star is revelation's light; That hope, the hope of heaven.

381. C. M. Drennan.

Law of Love.

1 All nature feels attractive power, A strong, embracing force; The drops that sparkle in the shower, The planets in their course.

2 Thus, in the universe of mind, Is felt the law of love; The charity both strong and kind, For all that live and move.

3 In this fine sympathetic chain All creatures bear a part; Their every pleasure, every pain, Linked to the feeling heart.

4 More perfect bond, the Christian plan Attaches soul to soul; Our neighbor is the suffering man, Though at the farthest pole.

5 To earth below, from heaven above, The faith in Christ professed, More clearly shows that G.o.d is love, And whom he loves is blessed.

382. C. M. Doddridge.

The Same.

1 O, may our sympathizing b.r.e.a.s.t.s The generous pleasure know, Kindly to share in others' joy, And weep for others' woe!

2 Where'er the helpless sons of grief In low distress are laid, Soft be our hearts their pains to feel, And swift our hands to aid.

3 O, be the law of love fulfilled In every act and thought, Each angry pa.s.sion far removed, Each selfish view forgot!

4 Be thou, my heart, dilated wide With this kind, social grace, And, in one grasp of fervent love, All earth and heaven embrace.

383. C. M. Watts.

Love to G.o.d.

1 Happy the heart where graces reign, Where love inspires the breast: Love is the brightest of the train, And strengthens all the rest.

2 Knowledge--alas! 'tis all in vain, And all in vain our fear; Our stubborn sins will fight and reign, If love be absent there.

3 This is the grace that lives and sings, When faith and hope shall cease; 'Tis this shall strike our joyful strings In realms of endless peace.

4 Before we quite forsake our clay, Or leave this dark abode, The wings of love bear us away To see our gracious G.o.d.

384. L. M. Browne.

Love to all Mankind.

1 O G.o.d, my Father, and my King, Of all I have, or hope, the spring!

Send down thy spirit from above, And fill my heart with heavenly love.

2 May I from every act abstain, That hurts or gives another pain: And bear a sympathizing part, Whene'er I meet a wounded heart.

3 And let my neighbor's prosperous state A mutual joy in me create; His virtuous triumph let me join; His peace and happiness be mine.

4 And though my neighbor's hate I prove, Still let me vanquish hate with love; And every secret wish suppress, That would abridge his happiness.

5 Let love through all my conduct shine, An image fair, though faint, of thine!

Thus let me his disciple prove, Who came to manifest thy love.

385. C. M. Roscoe.

The Two Commandments.

1 This is the first and great command-- To love thy G.o.d above; And this the second--as thyself Thy neighbor thou shalt love.

2 Who is my neighbor? He who wants The help which thou canst give; And both the law and prophets say, This do, and thou shalt live.

386. C. M. Watts.

Christ's Love to Enemies our Example.

1 G.o.d of our mercy and our praise, Thy glory is our song; We'll speak the honors of thy grace With a rejoicing tongue.