Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 69

4 The hill of Sion yields A thousand sacred sweets, Before we reach the heavenly fields, Or walk the golden streets.

5 Then let our songs abound, And every tear be dry; We're marching through Immanuel's ground, To fairer worlds on high.

418. S. M. Miss Fletcher.

Where is Heaven?

1 Our heaven is everywhere, If we but love the Lord, Unswerving tread the narrow way, And ever shun the broad.

2 'T is where the trusting heart Bows meekly to its grief, Still looking up with earnest faith For comfort and relief.

3 Where guileless infancy In happiness doth dwell, And where the aged one can say "He hath done all things well."

4 Wherever truth abides Sweet peace is ever there; If we but love and serve the Lord, Our heaven is everywhere.

419. 8s. & 7s. M. J. G. Adams.

Heaven Here.

1 Heaven is here; its hymns of gladness Cheer the true believer's way, In this world where sin and sadness Often change to night our day.

2 Heaven is here; where misery lightened Of its heavy load is seen, Where the face of sorrow brightened By the deed of love hath been:

3 Where the bound, the poor, despairing Are set free, supplied and blest; Where, in others' anguish sharing, We can find our surest rest.

4 Where we heed the voice of duty Rather than man's praise, or rod; This is heaven,--its peace, its beauty, Radiant with the smile of G.o.d.

420. L. M. 6l. Mrs. Case.

G.o.d's Kingdom Here.

1 Oh, where, our Saviour! sweeps the line That marks thy kingdom's holy reign?

Is it where northern meteors shine Or gilds the cross the southern main?

Where breaks the dawn o'er spicy lands?

Or twilight sleeps on desert sands?

2 Is it where sunny skies grow dim With smoke of heathen sacrifice?

Or where, in costly domes, the hymn Is taught on incense clouds to rise?

Nay, nay, thy blessed word has shown Thy kingdom is the heart alone!

3 That solemn world, whose bounds between Life's mysteries of birth and death, Are filled with warring hosts unseen, Beings of power, though not of breath-- The spirit realm, where'er it be, Is the dominion swayed by thee.

4 Wild, phantom shapes of gloom and fear, Roam dimly through the haunted spot, And earth holds not a land so drear As the sad heart that owns thee not, Where sorrows wound and pleasures pall, And death's dread shadow darkens all.

5 But lift thy sceptre there, its bowers Shall be serene and sweet and fair, And, as in time's primeval hours, The holy ones shall gather there, And heaven's own peace the soul o'erflow, E'en while it lingers here below.

421. 7s. M. Beaumont.

The Heaven Within.

1 As earth's pageant pa.s.ses by, Let reflection turn thine eye Inward, and observe thy breast; There alone dwells solid rest.

2 That's a close immured tower, Which can mock all hostile power; To thyself a tenant be, And inhabit safe and free.

3 Say not that this house is small, Girt up in a narrow wall; In a cleanly, sober mind, Heaven itself full room doth find.

4 The infinite Creator can Dwell in it; and may not man?

Here, content, make thy abode With thyself and with thy G.o.d.

DEVOUT EXERCISES.

422. C. M. H. M. Williams.

Habitual Devotion.

1 While thee I seek, protecting Power!

Be my vain wishes stilled; And may this consecrated hour With better hopes be filled.

2 Thy love the power of thought bestowed; To thee my thoughts would soar; Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed-- That mercy I adore!

3 In each event of life, how clear Thy ruling hand I see!

Each blessing to my soul more dear, Because conferred by thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days, In every pain I bear, My heart shall find delight in praise, Or seek relief in prayer.