The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave;
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And call'd on Him to save.
Like Him, with pardon on His tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He pray'd for them that did the wrong:
Who follows in His train?
A glorious band, the chosen few,
On whom the Spirit came :
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mock'd the cross and flame.
They climb'd the steep ascent of heaven,
Through peril, toil, and pain:
O God, to us may grace be given
To follow in their train!
THE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens,-a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim :
Th' unwearied sun from day to day
Doth his Creator's powers display,
And publishes to ev'ry land
The work of an Almighty hand.
Soon as the ev'ning shades prevail
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly, to the list'ning earth,
Repeats the story of her birth :
While all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
What though in solemn silence all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found;
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth their glorious voice:
For ever singing as they shine,—
"The Hand that made us is divine !"
THEE we adore, eternal Lord!
We praise Thy Name with one accord; Thy saints, who here Thy goodness see, Through all the world do worship Thee. To Thee aloud all angels cry,
And ceaseless raise their songs on high;
Both Cherubin and Seraphin,
The heavens and all the powers therein.
The Apostles join the glorious throng;
The Prophets swell th' immortal song;
The Martyrs' noble army raise
Eternal anthems to Thy praise.
Thee, holy, holy, holy King!
Thee, Lord of Sabaoth, they sing:
Thus earth below, and heaven above,
Resound Thy glory and Thy love.
THINE for ever! God of love,
Hear us from Thy throne above;
Thine for ever may we be,
Here and in eternity.
Thine for ever! Lord of life,
Shield us through our earthly strife
Thou, the life, the truth, the way,
Guide us to the realms of day.
Thine for ever! O how bless'd
They who find in Thee their rest;
Saviour, Guardian, heavenly Friend,
O defend us to the end.
Thine for ever! Thou our Guide,
All our wants by Thee supplied,
All our sins by Thee forgiven,
Lead us, Lord, from earth to heaven.
Sing we to our God above
Praise eternal as His love,
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
THIS day be grateful homage paid,
And loud hosannas sung;
Let gladness dwell in ev'ry heart,
And praise on ev'ry tongue.
Ten thousand diff'rent lips shall join
To hail this welcome morn,
Which scatters blessings from its beams
On nations yet unborn.
The pow'rs of darkness leagu'd in vain
To bind our Lord in death;
He shook their kingdom when he fell,
With His expiring breath.
Exalted high at God's right hand,
And Lord of all below,
Through Him is pard'ning love dispens'd,
And boundless blessings flow.
THIS is the day the Lord hath made,
He calls the hours His own;
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
To-day He rose and left the dead,
And Satan's empire fell;
To-day the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.
Bless'd be the Lord Who comes to men With messages of grace;
Who comes, in God His Father's name, To save our sinful race.
Hosanna to the anointed King,
To David's holy Son!
Help us, O Lord, descend and bring
Salvation from Thy throne.
Hosanna in the highest strains
The church on earth can raise ;
The highest heavens in which He reigns
Shall give Him nobler praise.
THOU art the Way,-to Thee alone
From sin and death we flee;
And he who would the Father seek,
Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.
Thou art the Truth,-Thy word alone
True wisdom can impart;
Thou only canst inform the mind,
And purify the heart.
Thou art the Life,-the rending tomb
Proclaims Thy conqu'ring arm;
And those who put their trust in Thee
Nor death nor hell shall harm.
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