Hymns from the East Part 10

Why seek the vain that dies?

The life begirt by death?

The fame, the power that flies With the expiring breath?

The good that carries ill besides, And for a fleeting hour abides?

III

Are there no gains that last, To bless the soul for aye, When pa.s.sing things are past, And things of earth decay?

Are there no joys that linger long In sweetness, like a heavenly song?

IV

Arise, my soul, arise!

The husks of time disdain, And wing thee to the skies, Where there is lasting gain; Where moth nor rust can mock thy toil, Nor subtle thief break through to spoil.

V

O Christ, for Thee we long, 'Tis Thee our spirits need; They only life prolong Who on Thy bounties feed; And they have wealth, and high estate, And endless bliss who on Thee wait.

I

I lift my hands, and with my heart, My prayer ascends to Thee; In mercy take a sinner's part, Lord, send Thy help to me.

II

Lo! in the mire of sin I lie, My raiment all defiled; O come and set me up on high, And save Thy fallen child.

III

I cannot cleanse the filthy stains,-- I can but mourn and sigh; Do what I may, the guilt remains, I fail oft' as I try.

IV

In mercy, Lord, Thy mercy send, For merciful art Thou; And prove Thyself the sinner's Friend,-- O come and help me now.

V

And let my life be ordered quite, As Thou wouldst have it be; When I am wrong, O set me right,-- Lord, come and succour me.

VI

And hold me up, lest to the mire Of sin my soul return; O let Thy love my spirit fire, And base affections burn.

VII

And glory to my G.o.d I'll give, And glory to the Son, And to the Spirit while I live, Great, Blessed, Three in One.

I

Arise, my soul, and gaily sing The praise of thine Immortal King; The heavens His matchless power adore,-- Awake, and sing for evermore.

II

The morning dawns at His command, And lights the world o'er sea and land; And upwards, see the sun arise, To shed its glories from the skies.

III

But falls the twilight o'er our heads, And night its sable curtain spreads; For all His kingly words obey,-- The dark of night, the light of day.

IV

O heavenly King, in every soul, The darkness of our night control; And 'mid the blackness of that night, Speak Thou the word, "Let there be light."

V

And as the morn from darkness springs, To speed to earth on silent wings, A dawn more glorious shall awake, And bright upon our spirits break.

VI

O Sun of Righteousness, arise, And fill our souls with glad surprise; Nor into dark of night decline, But aye at noontide brightly shine.

VII

All glory to the G.o.d of Might, And to the Son, the Light of light; And to the Spirit, Three in One, Eternal while the ages run.

I

The King shall come when morning dawns, And light triumphant breaks; When beauty gilds the eastern hills, And life to joy awakes.

II

Not as of old, a little child To bear, and fight, and die, But crowned with glory like the sun, That lights that morning sky.

III

O, brighter than the rising morn, When He, victorious rose, And left the lonesome place of death, Despite the rage of foes;--

IV

O, brighter than that glorious morn, Shall this fair morning be, When Christ, our King, in beauty comes, And we His face shall see.