The Otterbein Hymnal Part 8

Hayward, 1806.

50 Spanish Hymn, 7s, 8.

_The Day of Rest._ (91)

Welcome, sacred day of rest!

Sweet repose from worldly care; Day above all days the best, When our souls for heav'n prepare; Day, when our Redeemer rose, Victor o'er the hosts of h.e.l.l; Thus he vanquished all our foes; Let our lips his glory tell.

2 Gracious Lord! we love this day, When we hear thy holy word; When we sing thy praise, and pray, Earth can no such joys afford; But a better rest remains, Heav'nly Sabbaths, happier days, Rest from sin, and rest from pains, Endless joys and endless praise.

William Brown, 1822.

51 Last Hope. 7s.

_Sabbath Evening._ (93)

Softly fades the twilight ray Of the holy Sabbath day; Gently as life's setting sun, When the Christian's course is run.

2 Night her solemn mantle spreads O'er the earth as daylight fades; All things tell of calm repose At the holy Sabbath's close.

3 Peace is on the world abroad; 'Tis the holy peace of G.o.d-- Symbol of the peace within, When the spirit rests from sin.

4 Savior, may our Sabbaths be Days of peace and joy in thee, Till in heav'n our souls repose, Where the Sabbath ne'er shall close.

Samuel F. Smith, 1843.

52 Lowry. L.M.

_Morning Praise._

Awake, my soul, and with the sun Thy daily stage of duty run; Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 Awake, lift up thyself, my heart, And with the angels bear thy part, Who all night long unwearied sing High praises to th' eternal King.

3 Glory to thee, who safe hast kept, And hast refreshed me when I slept; Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, I may of endless life partake.

4 Lord, I my vows to thee renew; Scatter my sins as morning dew; Guard my first springs of thought and will, And with thyself my spirit fill.

Bp. Ken, 1709.

53 Vigil. S.M.

_Morning Song._ (1169)

See how the morning sun Pursues his shining way; And wide proclaims his Maker's praise, With ev'ry bright'ning ray.

2 Thus would my rising soul Its heavenly Parent sing, And to its great Original The humble tribute bring.

3 Serene I laid me down, Beneath his guardian care; I slept, and I awoke, and found My kind Preserver near.

4 My life I would anew Devote, O Lord, to thee; And in thy service I would spend A long eternity.

T. Scott.

54 Evening Prayer. 8s & 7s.

_Evening Blessing Desired._ (1171)

Savior, breathe an evening blessing, E'er repose our spirits seal; Sin and want we come confessing, Thou canst save and thou canst heal.

2 Though destruction walk around us, Though the arrows past us fly; Angel guards from thee surround us, We are safe if thou art nigh.

3 Though the night be dark and dreary, Darkness cannot hide from thee; Thou art he who, never weary, Watchest where thy people be.

4 Should swift death this night o'ertake us, And our couch become our tomb, May the morn in heaven awake us, Clad in bright and deathless bloom.

James Edmeston, 1820.

55 Hursley. L.M.

_Evening Hymn._ (1165)

Sun of my soul, thou Savior dear, It is not night if thou be near; Oh, may no earth-born cloud arise To hide thee from thy servant's eyes.

2 When the soft dews of kindly sleep My weary eye-lids gently steep, Be my last thought, how sweet to rest Forever on my Savior's breast.

3 Abide with me from morn till eve, For without thee I cannot live; Abide with me when night is nigh, For without thee I dare not die.

4 Come near and bless us when we wake, Ere thro' the world our way we take, Till in the ocean of thy love We lose ourselves in heaven above.

Rev. J. Keble, 1827.

56 Eventide. 10s.

_Evening of the Day._

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

2 Not a brief glance I beg, a pa.s.sing word, But as thou dwell'st with thy disciples, Lord, Familiar, condescending, patient, free, Come, not to sojourn, but abide with me.