They met the tyrant's brandish'd steel, They bow'd their necks the death to feel! A noble army-men and boys, They climb'd the steep ascent of Heaven, Oh God! to us may grace be given ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY. R. H. OH GOD! who gav'st Thy servant grace, To look on Thine incarnate face, And lean on Thy protecting breast: To see the light that dimly shone, Be ours, oh King of Mercy! still To feel Thy presence from above, And in Thy word, and in Thy will, To hear Thy voice, and know Thy love : And when the toils of life are done, And look, in humble hope, to Thee! INNOCENTS' DAY. R. H. OH weep not o'er thy children's tomb, Firstlings of faith! the murderer's knife Though feeble were their days and few, He knows them, whom they never knew, Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb, Oh Rachel, weep no so! The bud is cropt by martyrdom, The flower in heaven shall blow! SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, OR CIRCUMCISION. R. H. LORD of mercy and of might! Jesus! hear and save! Who, when sin's tremendous doom Gave creation to the tomb, Didst not scorn the Virgin's womb, Jesus! hear and save! Mighty monarch! Saviour mild! Captive, beaten, bound, revil'd, Jesus! hear and save! Throned above celestial things, Who shalt yet return from high, EPIPHANY. No. I. ANON. SONS of men, behold from far, Mild it shines on all beneath, Piercing through the shades of death; Scattering error's wide-spread night; Kindling darkness into light. Nations all, remote and near, Haste to see your God appear; Haste, for Him your hearts prepare, Meet Him manifested there! There behold the day-spring rise, Sing, ye morning stars, again! |