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 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 
I 
 
THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF PRAISE 
 
Ill praise Him while He lends me breath 
 And when my voice is lost in death 
 
 Praise shall employ my noblest powers : 
 My days of praise shall ne'er be past 
 While life and thought and being last 
 
 Or immortality endures. 
 
 WATTS. 
 
 . . . With my utmost art 
 I will sing Thee, 
 And the cream of all my heart 
 I will bring Thee. 
 
 HERBERT. 
 
CIjc Gklkit Cljam 
 
 H Y M N S 
 
 THOMAS HORXBLOWER GILL 
 
 Author of the "Papal Drama," " Th.c Anniversaries," etc. 
 
 I WILL SING PRAISES UNTO MY GOD WHILE I HAVE 
 ANY BEING.'*— PSALM CXLVI. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, GREATLY ENLARGED 
 
 gxratom 
 
 HODDER AND STOUGHTON 
 
 27, PATERNOSTER ROW 
 
 MDCCCXCIV 
 
'Printed by Hazelly Watson, &> Vincy, Ld., London and Aylesbury. 
 
TO MY DEAREST BROTHER, 
 
 THE REVEREND J. C. GILL, M.A., 
 
 TO WHOSE YIGOROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE INTELLECT 
 
 MY OWN MIND HAS BEEN SO GREATLY INDEBTED ; 
 
 TO WHOSE CRITICAL DISCERNMENT AND CONSUMMATE TASTE 
 
 I HAVE EVER RECURRED TO MY OWN GREAT ADVANTAGE; 
 
 AND WHOSE UNCHANGING LOVE AND CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP 
 
 HAVE SO LARGELY MINISTERED TO THE FELICITY OF 
 
 A VERY HAPPY LIFE I 
 
 THESE SACRED SONGS, DEVOTED TO THE UTTERANCE 
 
 OF THAT INWARD AND SPIRITUAL CHRISTIANITY 
 
 WHEREOF HE IS A POWERFUL AND PERSUASIVE PREACHER, 
 
 ARE MOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/gofpraOOgill 
 
PREFACE TO THIS EDITION. 
 
 THE wellnigh ninety hymns which appear for the 
 first time in this edition are not introduced 
 together or set in chronological order, but are arranged 
 among the others according to the theme, in conformity 
 with the character and title of the book, so as to fit in 
 as links of one unbroken Chain of Praise. While no 
 chronological order is observed, I have affixed the date 
 of composition to each hymn for the sake of friends in 
 England and America interested in such matters. The 
 half-century (1845 — ^94) which separates the last born 
 from the first born of these strains, a period so fruitful 
 in religious change, has but the more commended to 
 me that conception of Religion as an inward principle, 
 as a moral and spiritual power manifesting its work on 
 the heart by its workings on the life which pervades 
 the latest as it inspired the earliest of these divine 
 songs. I have sought to combine the depth of the 
 seventeenth with the width of the nineteenth century, 
 to blend the spirit of the ancestral Puritans with the 
 loftiest aspirations of our own time. 
 
 Seven of the hymns put forth in the First Edition 
 have been withdrawn on account of imperfection of 
 
viii Preface to this Edition. 
 
 form or repetition of theme : the others, with very few 
 exceptions, are reproduced just as they first appeared. 
 Here and there a word has been altered, a line has been 
 recast, a couplet or a stanza has been recomposed. In 
 one hymn (No. 216) the alterations are restorations; it 
 reappears as it was originally written, not as it appeared 
 in the First Edition. My aversion from hymn-mangling, 
 always strong, has been strengthened by observation, 
 reflection and experience. A hymn worth anything is the 
 exact and vivid expression of one creative thought, is a 
 living, harmonious whole. Such a living whole cannot 
 be tampered with but to its hurt. A strain inspired 
 by one thought is harmed by the intrusion of another, 
 even if that thought be deep and high. A hymn 
 devoted to the Incarnation is not bettered by the inter- 
 polation of the Cross. A song consecrated to the 
 general relations of the soul with God is impaired 
 by the subsequent introduction of some particular 
 doctrine. The life of a hymn lies in its inspiring 
 thought : to complicate and disturb that thought is to 
 enfeeble and spoil the hymn. 
 
 If a man cannot deal thus with his own productions, 
 except to their detriment, how grievously must they 
 suffer from the handling of others ! The reckless hymn- 
 mangling so widely prevalent is a wrong to the author, 
 to the hymn, and to those who use it. 
 
 Resolved as far as in me lies to abate this pernicious 
 practice, I require all collectors who wish for hymns of 
 mine to take them tinaltered directly from this book, not 
 from other collections ; and I withhold their use from 
 
Preface to this Edition. ix 
 
 those unwilling to accept this condition, conceding, 
 however, a moderate liberty of omission. 
 
 I conclude this Preface on my seventy-fifth birthday 
 with the earnest hope and prayer that these divine songs, 
 the outcome of the aspiration and inspiration of half a 
 century, will minister to the maintenance and furtherance 
 of that deep, broac^, pure spiritual Christianity, the unfold- 
 ing and upholding whereof are the loftiest business of the 
 Teutonic race, the utterance whereof is a glorious office 
 of the English tongue. 
 
 Shirley House, Grove Park, Kent, 
 February lOtli, 1S94. 
 
PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 
 
 EVERY true hymn is a religious poem, though 
 every religious poem is not a hymn. Sacred 
 Song forms a province of the wider realm of Sacred 
 Poetry, subject of course to the general laws of the 
 whole country, but having those laws modified and 
 limited by rules and customs peculiar to itself. Yet 
 while debarred from the liberty and luxury proper to 
 other kinds of verse, while bound to keep at a distance 
 from very ornate poetry, the hymn cannot be too far 
 removed from prose. It may easily be too figurative ; 
 it cannot be too glowing and imaginative. Hymns are 
 not meant to be theological statements, expositions 
 of doctrine or enunciations of precepts ; they are utter- 
 ances of the soul in its manifold moods of hope and 
 fear, joy and sorrow, love, wonder and aspiration. A 
 hymn should not consist of comments on a text or 
 of remarks on an experience; but of a central and 
 creative thought, shaping for itself melodious utterance, 
 and with every detail subordinated to its clear and 
 harmonious presentation. Herein a true hymn takes 
 rank as a poem : but it is a poem that has to be sung, 
 
xii Preface to First Edition. 
 
 and should exhibit all the qualities and limitations of a 
 good song — liveliness and intensity of feeling, directness, 
 clearness and vividness of utterance, strength, sweetness 
 and simplicity of diction and melody of rhythm : exces- 
 sive subtlety and excessive ornament should be alike 
 avoided. Hymns are meant and made to be sung : the 
 best and most glorious hymns cannot be more exactly 
 defined than as Divine Love-Songs. 
 
 Divine Song then has its laws and limitations : it does 
 not spurn the bonds of Art, but it draws its life and 
 power from Divine Inspiration. Sacred strains are bound 
 to exhibit the same literary excellence essential to noble 
 secular strains. The tenderness, pathos and melody 
 which go to make an excellent earthly love-song are still 
 more admirable in a heavenly love-song. The fire and 
 force which kindle us in a grand war-song still more 
 uplift our hearts in the song of the Christian warrior. 
 But the most exact knowledge of the properties of Sacred 
 Song, combined with the fullest command of happy 
 diction and melodious numbers, cannot avail to the 
 production of a potent hymn without " devout prayer 
 to that Eternal Spirit who can enrich with all utterance 
 and knowledge, and sends out His Seraphim with the 
 hallowed fire of His altar to touch and purify the lips of 
 whom He pleases." 
 
 With these conceptions of what a hymn ought to be, 
 the following hymns have been written. It is not for me 
 to say how far these conceptions have been realised ; but 
 I dare affirm of almost all these compositions that they 
 are songs and not merely religious poems. They were 
 
Preface to First Edition. xiii 
 
 made and meant to be sung, and will readily lend them- 
 selves to music. In fact, music has had something to do 
 with the making of some of them. Certain tunes have 
 so filled and possessed me during the composition of a 
 few among these hymns, as in some measure to dictate 
 the sentiment, rhythm and pauses. The name of the 
 tune has been prefixed to each hymn in which it may 
 claim any parental interest. 
 
 Hymns are utterances of the religious affections, not 
 theological statements or doctrinal expositions. But reli- 
 gious affections are the offspring of religious convictions : 
 emotion is born of truth received into the heart.* Tha 
 soul utters praise because it is full of love and wonder ; 
 the soul loves and wonders because it believes. All true 
 hymns have grown out of a deep and true theology. The 
 "Te Deum" was praised by Luther as a good symbol 
 not less than as a perfect hymn. Though utterly undi- 
 dactic, it recognises every fundamental objective truth of 
 Christianity — the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Vicarious 
 Redemption, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the 
 Second Coming : but it presents these truths poetically, 
 not dogmatically ; to the adoring gaze of faith and love, 
 not to the discriminating survey of the intellect. It is 
 after the fashion of the " Te Deum " that all great Chris- 
 tian truths are presented in great Christian hymns. They 
 appear there not as doctrines, far less as dogmas : but as 
 great objective facts uplifting the heart and the imagina- 
 tion ; or as truths received into the soul and transformed 
 into experience. Every potent manifestation of Chris- 
 tianity has a witness of its greatness in the multitude of 
 
xiv Preface to First Edition. 
 
 noble hymns to which it has given birth. The Reforma- 
 tion has won from Germany thousands of sacred songs ; 
 Puritanism has found melodious utterance in the hymns 
 of Watts ; Methodism rejoices in the strains of Charles 
 Wesley. To Evangelicalism belong the hymns of Cowper, 
 Newton and Toplady ; to Anglicanism appertain the 
 religious poems of Herbert and Keble. The theology of 
 the following hymns is the theology of the " Te Deum," 
 the theology common to most Protestant Churches, the 
 theology common to Luther, Gerhardt and Tersteegen, 
 to Watts, Wesley and Heber. 
 
 The spiritual experience of more than twenty years is 
 recorded in these sacred songs. Though spread over so 
 long a period, they are now given to the world for the 
 first time, with the exception of about thirty which have 
 appeared partly in collections and partly among "The 
 Anniversaries " (poems published ten years ago). Often 
 and earnestly solicited by friends both in England and 
 America to collect and publish my hymns, I am not 
 sorry that I have withholden them until now, when the 
 outbreak of carnal and corrupt religion, particularly in the 
 direction of hymn-writing, may impart especial timeliness 
 and value to this endeavour after the melodious utterance 
 of inward and spiritual religion in its depth and breadth, 
 as possessing and gladdening the heart, as appropriating 
 and ennobling the outer life, both individual and national. 
 I trust that these hymns will not unworthily maintain that 
 Protestant Succession of English Sacred Song, so magnifi- 
 cently commenced by Watts, so well sustained by Addison, 
 so gloriously continued by Charles and John Wesley, so 
 
Preface to First Edition. x\ 
 
 worthily supported by Doddridge, Toplady, Cowper and 
 Heber, and so nobly upholden by Montgomery. 
 
 In the title which I have chosen for this book, I have 
 sought to express the power of Sacred Song in bestowing 
 unity and harmony upon life, — a power which I have 
 myself experienced, which I have set forth in more than 
 one of these hymns, and which I have endeavoured to 
 exemplify in their arrangement. With, I trust, an ample 
 diversity of subjects, there are no divisions ; the transition 
 from one theme of praise to another is almost imper- 
 ceptibly effected ; one strain leads on to another ; each 
 song is connected in thought both with the foregoer and 
 the aftercomer ; each hymn forms a link in one unbroken 
 Chain of Praise. 
 
 An early lover and an early writer of hymns, I have in 
 putting forth these divine songs fulfilled the aspiration 
 and accomplished the endeavour of a life. The exceed- 
 ing delight of their production is of course an incom- 
 municable joy. May they be made of some avail for the 
 strengthening and gladdening of other souls, through the 
 grace of the Divine Quickener and Gladdener. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Hymn 18, verse 4, line 2, for "torch" read "track." 
 Hymn 47, verse I, line 2, for "all" read "as." 
 Hymn 81, title, for "charge" read "changes." 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Song of the Soul 
 
 I 
 
 Meet Worship 
 
 3 
 
 The New Song 
 
 4 
 
 "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord" 
 
 6 
 
 Linked Praise 
 
 8 
 
 The Joy of Praise 
 
 10 
 
 The Need and the Joy of Song 
 
 12 
 
 "Ever at Work and ever at Rest " 
 
 14 
 
 Joy in the Works of God 
 
 i5 
 
 Delight in God's Law 
 
 16 
 
 Spirit-cheer 
 
 18 
 
 The Divine Imparter 
 
 19 
 
 God for us 
 
 20 
 
 God with us 
 
 21 
 
 God in us ... 
 
 ... 23 
 
 God for us, with us, in us 
 
 24 
 
 The Lord of Hosts 
 
 25 
 
 The King of Glory 
 
 26 
 
 The Living God 
 
 28 
 
 The Well of Life 
 
 .. 29 
 
 First Fair and Almighty... 
 
 • 3o 
 
 Joy in the Glory of God ... 
 
 3i 
 
 Unconscious and Conscious Praise 
 
 ... 32 
 
 Joy in the Presence of God 
 
 • 34 
 
 " Most Hidden and Most Manifest : ' ... 
 
 36 
 
xviii Contents. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Open Secret ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 38 
 
 God glorious in His Works ... ... ... ... .. 39 
 
 God most glorious in His Word ... ... ... 40 
 
 Worship in Solitude ... ... ... ... ... .. 42 
 
 Worship in the Assembly ... ... ... ... 43 
 
 Worship everywhere ... ... ... ... ... 45 
 
 The Ever Open Temple ... ... ... ... ... 46 
 
 Sunday ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 47 
 
 The Lord's Day ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 49 
 
 The Lord's Day Evening ... ... ... . 50 
 
 The Presence of God in His People ... ... ... ... 52 
 
 Their Praise His Abode ... ... ... ... ... ... 53 
 
 Their Praise His Inspiration ... ... ... ... ... 54 
 
 The Power of God in His People ... ... ... ... 55 
 
 Spiritual Worship ... ... ... ... ... ... 56 
 
 The Sabbath on Earth and in Heaven... ... ... ... 58 
 
 Unsullied Worship ... ... ... ... ... ... 59 
 
 Inward Religion ... ... ... ... ... 61 
 
 Reality in Worship 63 
 
 Praise perfected by Holiness ... ... ... ... .. 64 
 
 Angelic Helpers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 65 
 
 Angelic Lowliness and Loftiness 68 
 
 The Celestial Seeker ... ... ... ... . ... 69 
 
 The Heavenly Lover . . ... ... ... ... . . 71 
 
 Divine Love ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 72 
 
 The Debt of Love 73 
 
 Transcendent Love ... ... ... ... ... ... 74 
 
 "Kiss the Son" 75 
 
 "Lord, to whom shall we go?" ... ... ... ... 76 
 
 Our Double Kindred to Emmanuel ... ... ... ... 78 
 
 The Exchange of Places ... ... ... ... ... ... 80 
 
 The Unity of Christ and His People 81 
 
 Most Lofty and Most Lowly 83 
 
 The Bitter-sweet Cross ... 84 
 
Contents. 
 
 xix 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Satisfied Sufferer 
 
 85 
 
 Easter Sunday 
 
 87 
 
 " I am the Resurrection and the Life " 
 
 88 
 
 Sweet Surprises ... 
 
 89 
 
 Spring-time and Easter-tide 
 
 90 
 
 Joy in the Ascended Saviour 
 
 92 
 
 The Threefold Feast 
 
 94 
 
 The Lord's Table ... 
 
 
 95 
 
 The Lord's Supper 
 
 
 96 
 
 The Symbolical Supper .. 
 
 
 98 
 
 The Service of Memorj' .. 
 
 
 99 
 
 The Elder Brother 
 
 
 IOI 
 
 The Only Mediator 
 
 
 102 
 
 The Only Priest 
 
 
 104 
 
 The Forerunner ... 
 
 
 105 
 
 One Flock, one Shepherd — 
 
 
 Unity not Uniformity "J 
 
 107 
 
 True, Living Unity v 
 
 108 
 
 Visible, Eternal Unity J 
 
 no 
 
 " The Name above every name " 
 
 no 
 
 The Triumph of Christ 
 
 112 
 
 M Jesus Christ, the same Yesterday, To-day, and For Ever ' ; 
 
 114 
 
 The Church and her Changes 
 
 116 
 
 Christendom 
 
 . Il8 
 
 " Come, Lord Jesus " 
 
 . 120 
 
 The Fifth Monarchy 
 
 122 
 
 The Reign of Christ 
 
 • 123 
 
 " King of kings and Lord of lords " 
 
 125 
 
 Christ our Caesar 
 
 126 
 
 The Glory of the Latter Days ' 
 
 127 
 
 From Strength to Strength 
 
 . 129 
 
 England's Hymn ... 
 
 131 
 
 Hymn of the English Tongue ... 
 
 132 
 
 The Good Old Cause 
 
 
 134 
 
XX 
 
 Contents. 
 
 The Good Old Cause in Affliction 
 The Good Old Cause Triumphant 
 The Hymn of the Waldenses ... 
 The Pilgrim Fathers 
 The Thanksgiving Song of Protestant 
 The Spanish Armada, 1 588 
 
 1588 and 1688 
 
 1888 
 
 Luther's Birthday 
 
 The Freemen of Christ 
 
 The Fall of Babylon 
 
 Hallelujah ... 
 
 National and Spiritual Renewal 
 
 The Holy Spirit 
 
 The Spirit's Best Gifts 
 
 The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit 
 
 The Witness of the Spirit 
 
 " The Earnest of the Spirit " 
 
 " Grieve not the Holy Spirit " ... 
 
 Blasphem}- against the Holy Ghost 
 
 The Spirit's Dealings with the Heart 
 
 Pervading Inspiration 
 
 The Helpful Spirit 
 
 The Divine Hallower 
 
 The J03- of the Holy Ghost ... 
 
 A Breathing after the Holy Spirit 
 
 The Quelling and Quickening Spirit 
 
 Daily Renewal 
 
 The Enlivening and Enlightening Spir 
 
 The Heavenly Dove 
 
 The Divine Renewer 
 
 The Unchanging Renewer 
 
 Things New and Old 
 
 Divine Novelties 
 
 ntam 
 
Contents. xxi 
 
 l-AGE 
 
 The Temples of the Holy Ghost 188 
 
 Oneness with God ... ... ... ... ... ... 189 
 
 Spiritual Refreshment 19° 
 
 "Quench not the Spirit "' ... ... ... ... • •• 19 1 
 
 "Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me" 19 2 
 
 The Warfare with Sin 194 
 
 The Memory of Sin 195 
 
 The Prodigal's Return 197 
 
 The Pilgrim's Prayer 198 
 
 " Increase our Faith " 199 
 
 " Lead us not into Temptation '" 2or 
 
 Spiritual Ups and Downs 202 
 
 God's Open and Hidden Face 203 
 
 Complaint and Aspiration ... ... ... ... ... 205 
 
 " I am Thine, save me" ... ... ... ... ... 206 
 
 The Halting Aspirant 208 
 
 Divine Discontent ... ... ... ... ... ... 209 
 
 Duty Difficult and Delightful 210 
 
 Divine Ascension ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 1 
 
 Longing after God ... ... ... ... ... ... 213 
 
 The Divine Master-builder 214 
 
 Refreshment after Toil 216 
 
 Assurance in Trouble ... ... ... ... ... ... 218 
 
 Trust in Man our Snare ... .. ... .. ... ... 220 
 
 Trust in God our Stay ... ... ... ... ... ... 22t 
 
 The Want and the Worth of Faith 223 
 
 The Broken and Renewed Covenant ... ... ... ... 224 
 
 The Worth of Time 226 
 
 The Voice of Time 227 
 
 The Voice of Time in History 228 
 
 New Year Hymn ... ... ... ... ... 23a 
 
 The New Year and the New Life ... ... ... ... 231 
 
 Morning Hymn ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 233 
 
 Evening Hymn ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 234 
 
xxii Contents. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Holy Even-tide ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 235 
 
 Sunward Gazing ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 236 
 
 "In Thy Light we shall see Light " ... ... ... ... 238 
 
 The Joy of Spring ... ... ... ... ... ... 239 
 
 A Vernal Rebuke... ... ... ... ... ... ... 241 
 
 Summer Without and Within ... ... ... ... ... 243 
 
 The Hymn of Youth ... ... ... ... ... ... 244 
 
 The Song of Seventy ... ... ... ... ... ... 246 
 
 Eternal Youth 248 
 
 The Hymn of the Heart .. ... ... ... ... ... 250 
 
 Lord, I love Thee ... ... ... ... ... ... 251 
 
 Early Love ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 253 
 
 Lowly Love ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 254 
 
 Restraining Fear ... ... .. ... ... ... 255 
 
 Inspiring Love ... ... ... ... ... ... 256 
 
 The Holy League of Love and Fear ... 258 
 
 Full Love 259 
 
 Life, Light, and Love (as Blessings of Man) ... ... ... 261 
 
 Life, Light, and Love (as Gifts of God) ... ... ... 262 
 
 Love and Praise ... ... ... ... ... ... 264 
 
 Grace and Gratitude ... ... ... ... ... ... 265 
 
 Lowly Ambition ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 266 
 
 Sweet Subjection ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 268 
 
 The Glory of Infirmity 269 
 
 "Not My will but Thine be done" 271 
 
 Alone with the Father ... ... ... ... ... ... 272 
 
 The World Overcome ... ... ... .. ... ... 273 
 
 The Soul Sustained ... ... ... ... ... 274 
 
 Godly Sorrow ... ... ... ... ... ... 276 
 
 Sorrow under the Eye of God ... ... ... ... ... 277 
 
 " Pray without ceasing " ... ... ... ... 278 
 
 The Walk with God 279 
 
 Conference with God ... ... ... ... ... ... 281 
 
 Divine Teaching ... ... ... ... ... ... 282 
 
Contents. xxiii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Faithful Utterance 284 
 
 The True Servant ... ... ... ... ... 286 
 
 The Great Taskmaster ... ... ... ... ... ... 287 
 
 Abiding Work ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 288 
 
 The Lord's Battle ... 290 
 
 The Lord s Helpers .. 291 
 
 Light-bearers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 293 
 
 We are seeking the Lord 294 
 
 " Ye are a Royal Priesthood " 296 
 
 The Cloud of Witnesses 297 
 
 '■Looking off unto Jesus" ... ... ... ... ... 299 
 
 " More than Conquerors '* ... ... ... ... ... 300 
 
 The People of God ... ... ... ... ... ... 302 
 
 "Of the Household of God " 304 
 
 In the World, not of it ... ... 305 
 
 Christ's Blessed Ones ... ... .. 306 
 
 " Partakers of His Holiness " 308 
 
 " The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God " . 309 
 
 The Exchange of Gifts ... ... ... ... ... ... 310 
 
 Abiding with God ... ... ... ... ... ... 312 
 
 The Unbroken Ascent of Faith ... . . ... ... 313 
 
 My God ... 315 
 
 Grace ... ... ... ... ... ... .316 
 
 " The Peace that passeth all Understanding " ... 317 
 
 The Everlasting Arms ... ... ... ... 319 
 
 Eternal Love ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 320 
 
 Free Grace ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Electing Love 323 
 
 Holy Diligence 325 
 
 " Make Thy Chosen People joyful' 327 
 
 " Rejoice evermore " ... ... ... ... ... .. 328 
 
 The Divine Gladdener ... ... ... ... ... ... 330 
 
 Joy under the Eye of God ... ... ... ... ... 331 
 
 " I will play before the Lord " 332 
 
XXIV 
 
 Contents. 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Endless Stream of Praise ... 
 
 334 
 
 The Golden Chain of Praise ... ... ... . . 
 
 • 335 
 
 The Family in Heaven and Earth 
 
 • 337 
 
 Thanks for the Departed 
 
 • 33* 
 
 u Our Citizenship is in Heaven" 
 
 • 340 
 
 The Final Victory 
 
 • 342 
 
 The Mourner's Heaven ... 
 
 • 344 
 
 Love yearning for Reunion 
 
 • 345 
 
 Within the Veil 
 
 • 347 
 
 Shining Ones 
 
 • 348 
 
 The Spirits of Just Men made perfect ... 
 
 • 35o 
 
 Heaven our Holy Land ... 
 
 • 35i 
 
 The Debt of Heaven to Earth 
 
 • 353 
 
 The Witness of Earth to Heaven 
 
 • 355 
 
 New Jerusalem 
 
 • 356 
 
 Christ our Heaven 
 
 • 359 
 
 Our Everlasting Portion ... 
 
 360 
 
 •" In My Father's House are Many Mansions " 
 
 • 361 
 
 The Celestial City 
 
 • 363 
 
 The Better Land 
 
 • 365 
 
 The Vision Beatific 
 
 • 366 
 
 Mirrored Glory ... 
 
 . 36S 
 
THE SONG OF THE SOUL. 
 
 FAINT not along the heavenly road, 
 
 Thou Pilgrim Soul of mine ; 
 Still, still be gladsome in thy God, 
 
 Still sing thy song divine ! 
 A weary race thou hast to run j 
 
 Dim shineth the far goal : 
 But shall not Heaven at last be won ? 
 
 Pursue thy song, my Soul ! 
 
 A dreary desert dost thou trace, 
 
 And quaff a bitter bowl ? 
 The desert make thy Holy Place : 
 
 Sing as thou drinkest, Soul ! 
 Or walkest thou 'neath smiling skies, 
 
 A garden all the road ? 
 Sing, Soul, and make thy paradise 
 
 The Paradise of God ! 
 
 Hath the strong world uprisen in wrath 
 Against thee, Soul of mine ? 
 
 Do deadly foes beset thy path 
 And battle with thee join? 
 
 i 
 
The Golden Chain 
 
 Right on thee do the tempests beat, 
 
 Right on the billows roll ? 
 Make answer with thy music sweet : 
 
 Sing, and o'ercome, my Soul. 
 
 Is't sweetness that thou dwellest in, 
 
 Thine own each precious thing ? 
 From gracious creatures dost thou win 
 
 Most tender cherishing ? 
 Doth life for thee, bright Soul, for thee 
 
 Its glory all unroll ? 
 Oh, take thy pleasure holily ! 
 
 Sing to thy Lord, my Soul ! 
 
 And hast thou sinned, and dost thou low 
 
 In shame and sadness lie? 
 For that glad singing, doth thy woe 
 
 Send forth the bitter cry ? 
 Look up : behold that open Heaven, 
 
 That Lamb for sinners slain ! 
 No more ! no more ! O Soul forgiven, 
 
 Thine own glad song again ! 
 
 And in the joy of victory, 
 
 When some strong sin lies dead, 
 When He the Lord hath risen in thee, 
 
 And with thee triumphed j 
 When the glad Spirit's voice divine 
 
 Through thy stirred deeps doth roll, 
 O ! glows there such a joy as thine ? 
 
 Swells such a song, my Soul ? 
 
 When over thy best lovers gone 
 
 Thou weepest mournfully ; 
 When He, the God of grace, hath drawn 
 
 Thy gracious ones on high ; 
 
 
i8 4 7- 
 
 of Praise. 
 
 No mirth He asks of thee, no smile j 
 
 Meetly the tears down roll j 
 But flows not on His grace the while ? 
 
 Renew thy song, my Soul ! 
 
 And when thy voice is falling fast 
 
 Down to the hush of death, 
 On, on, sweet Singer, to the last ! 
 
 Divine thy latest breath. 
 Thou wouldst not part, thou wouldst not win 
 
 Without a song the goal : 
 Can thy voice nothing ? sing within ! 
 
 Still, still thy song, my Soul ! 
 
 A moment — and thou praisest Him 
 
 Nor voiceless nor alone : 
 Thou singest with the Seraphim : 
 
 Thou singest near the throne. 
 Hark ! without stint or stay from thee 
 
 The music forth doth roll ; 
 O sweet to all eternity 
 
 Thy glad, glad song, my Soul ! 
 
 ii. 
 
 " O worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness" 
 
 HOW, Lord, shall vows of ours be sweet ? 
 O, how should souls immortal meet ? 
 How lose themselves in heaven awhile ? 
 How win Thine own eternal smile ? 
 
 Come beautiful, as souls should be ! 
 Come beautiful for God to see ! 
 
:8 4 5. 
 
 The Golden Chain 
 
 Come holy-fair, come heavenly-bright, 
 And give the All-seeing Eye delight ! 
 
 Come souls ! thus glorious soar and sing ; 
 The Lord's own beauty with you bring ! 
 Ye merciful ! from you how sweet 
 The service of the Mercy-Seat ! 
 
 Ye upright ! be not faint of tongue ; 
 The faithful Lord will love your song. 
 O pure of heart ! how meetly ye 
 Aspire to praise His purity ! 
 
 Ye loving, of large souls and free, 
 Whose hours run on forgivingly ! 
 You chief the God of Love will hear, — 
 Your own the Incessant Pardoner ! 
 
 Yet better songs, ye godly, raise ! 
 More nobly live \ more sweetly praise ! 
 Till Heaven's high endless strains express 
 The height of heavenly holiness. 
 
 in. 
 
 11 O sing unto the Lord a new song." 
 
 LORD ! from these trembling souls of ours 
 New songs dost Thou require ? 
 
 May our dull lips, our faltering powers 
 In such a strain conspire ? 
 
 May pilgrims on this weary road 
 
 Keep their first joy unspent, 
 And bearers of this daily load 
 
 Still a new song present ? 
 
 
 i 
 
of Praise. 
 
 Yes, from Thy grace so marvellous 
 
 This wonder, Lord, may flow : 
 Breathe Thy renewing fire on us ! 
 
 Our lips must catch the glow. 
 
 As down Thy quickening grace is poured 
 
 So will Thy people sing ; 
 New songs to their renewing Lord 
 
 Renewed hearts will bring. 
 
 Sweet comes Thy morning love to them 
 
 As ne'er bestowed before ; 
 And glad ascends their evening hymn 
 
 As when it first did soar. 
 
 New songs that tenderest Father bless 
 
 Who spared not His Son ; 
 New songs His endless love address 
 
 Who chose them for His own. 
 
 They sing as though the Ransomer 
 
 Their ransom just had paid; 
 They sing as when the Comforter 
 
 His first sweet visit made. 
 
 From strength to strength their way they take ; 
 
 From song to song they soar ; 
 New Births of Grace their wonder wake ; 
 
 New praises forth they pour. 
 
 In Heaven to endless joy they rise : 
 
 Still a new song they sing ; 
 Still grows on their enamoured eyes 
 
 The glory of their King. 
 
859- 
 
 The Golden Chain 
 
 More near they draw, more bright they shine ; 
 
 They sing more glad, more strong ; 
 New, new that endless joy divine, — 
 
 New, new that endless song ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD." 
 
 FATHER, glorious with all splendour, 
 
 But with holiness most bright ! 
 Son, in whom all sweet and tender 
 
 Dwelt on earth that blessed light ! 
 Spirit, through whose grace the sweetness 
 
 Into sinful souls is poured ! 
 In this strain what mighty meetness, 
 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ! " 
 
 Holy One, w r ho sin abhorrest, 
 
 Awful sin-consuming flame ! 
 Holy One, our sin who borest, 
 
 Through our sin whose passion came ! 
 Holy One, who takest sorrow 
 
 When we touch the thing abhorred ! 
 Dare our lips this dread strain borrow, 
 
 "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord"? 
 
 Father, Thine own Son who gavest 
 
 For the overthrow of sin ! 
 Lamb of God, who sinners savest, 
 
 Through whose blood our peace we win 
 Dove Divine, w T ho yearnest ever 
 
 Till our sin-bound souls have soared ! 
 Give us grace this strain to endeavour, 
 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ! " 
 
 
of Praise. 
 
 Father, Thine Elect who lovest 
 
 With an everlasting love ! 
 Saviour, who the bar removest 
 
 From the holy home above ! 
 Spirit, daily meetness bringing 
 
 For the glory there upstored ! 
 List to Thy glad people singing, 
 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ! " 
 
 In this strain what fulness dwelleth ! 
 
 How it makes the Godhead known ! 
 Of Thy deepest deep it telleth, 
 
 Everlasting Three in One ! 
 Fullest praise Thy saints thus bring Thee, 
 
 Meetliest thus art Thou adored ; 
 This the song they ever sing Thee, 
 
 "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ! " 
 
 Lord ! with sin-bound souls Thou bearest, 
 
 Struggling towards this strain divine ; 
 Glad on mortal lips Thou hearest 
 
 That thrice-awful name of Thine. 
 But Thou listenest, O how sweetly ! 
 
 When from holy lips outpoured, 
 Rings through Heaven this strain full meetly, 
 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ! " 
 
 Shall we, Lord, meet voices never 
 
 Bring to that eternal hymn ? 
 Hallow us to help the endeavour 
 
 Of Thy pure-lipped Seraphim ! 
 Hark ! their own high strain we bring Thee ; 
 
 Listen to the full accord ! 
 Sweet the song we ever sing Thee, 
 
 " Holy, Holy, Holy Lord ! " 
 i860. 
 
> The Golden Chain 
 
 v. 
 
 LINKED PRAISE. 
 
 " Come magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His 
 name together." 
 
 YE of the Father loved, 
 
 Ye of the Saviour sought, 
 Whose sins He hath removed, 
 Whose raiment He hath wrought ; 
 Ye who have known 
 
 The Spirit's might ; 
 On whom hath shone 
 The Spirit's light ; 
 
 Ye people of the Lord 
 
 Who in His love abide ; 
 Your treasure do not hoard, 
 Your gladness do not hide ! 
 Together bring 
 
 Your costly store ! 
 Together sing ! 
 Together soar ! 
 
 Glad heart, repeat to heart 
 The story of thy peace : 
 Each dear delight impart ! 
 Each dear delight increase ! 
 Thy foes o'erthrown, 
 Thy sins forgiven, 
 Thy darkness gone, 
 Thy fetters riven ! 
 
 
of Praise. 
 
 Tell of that saving hour j 
 
 Tell of His smiling face ! 
 Tell of His quickening power ; 
 Tell of His strengthening grace ! 
 Souls loved so well, 
 
 Come near ! come near ! 
 O hear and tell ! 
 O tell and hear ! 
 
 In love together meet ; 
 
 For joy together sing ; 
 With mingled voices greet 
 Each triumph of your King j 
 The Lord's dear praise 
 
 Together speak ; 
 The Lord's right ways 
 Together seek ! 
 
 In linked praise and prayer 
 
 Your Heaven on earth begin : 
 Together glimpses fair 
 Of hastening glory win : 
 
 From strength to strength 
 
 Together go ! 
 In Heaven at length 
 Together glow ! 
 
 With all the heirs of grace 
 
 There speak the Saving Name ; 
 With all the ransomed race 
 Give glory to the Lamb ! 
 Your King of light 
 
 Together see 
 In all His might 
 And majesty ! 
 
io The Golden Chain 
 
 Fix your enamoured eyes : 
 
 Lift your exulting tongues ! 
 Mingle your endless joys : 
 Mingle your endless songs ! 
 Together sing, 
 
 Together soar, 
 While smiles your King 
 For evermore ! 
 1863. 
 
 VI. 
 
 THE JOY OF PRAISE. 
 
 THE harmonies above, 
 
 How gloriously they ring ! 
 The endless song of love, 
 How well the angels sing ! 
 What flame can catch 
 The seraphs' fire ? 
 The heavenly quire 
 What strains can match ? 
 
 The holy songs of earth, 
 
 How sweetly, too, they swell ! 
 As here God's praise rings forth 
 What joy unspeakable ! 
 As organs blow, 
 As voices blend, 
 As souls ascend, 
 As spirits glow ! 
 
of Praise. 1 1 
 
 What rapture reigns around 
 
 As strains divine forth roll, 
 As mighty streams of sound 
 Uplift the glowing soul ! 
 They task her powers ; 
 She strongly pants, 
 She sweetly faints, 
 She grandly soars. 
 
 When Art hath subtly wrought, 
 
 When Love hath strongly stirred, 
 When Feeling and when Thought 
 Their fulness have conferred : 
 When words of might 
 With music meet 
 Yield wedlock sweet 
 And dear delight : 
 
 Melodious, tender, strong, 
 
 The hymn its fulness brings, 
 Upon the mighty song 
 The happy soul upsprings. 
 Her bonds are riven ; 
 Far flies she forth ; 
 How dim is earth, 
 How near is Heaven ! 
 
 Still on the wings of song, 
 
 Glad souls, be borne aloft, 
 Enjoy the sweetness long, 
 Renew the rapture oft ! 
 Do cares oppress ? 
 Do griefs arise ? 
 This solace prize, 
 This brightness bless ! 
 
12 The Golden Chain 
 
 Throughout the mortal years, 
 
 The song divine upraise ! 
 Along the Vale of Tears 
 Renew the joy of praise. 
 Then sing and soar 
 Where bliss doth dwell, 
 Where song doth swell 
 For evermore. 
 1893. 
 
 VII. 
 
 THE NEED AND THE JOY OF SONG. 
 
 OUR lives, dear Lord, may bless Thee, 
 
 Our work may worship be ; 
 Yet must our lips address thee, 
 
 Yet must we sing to Thee. 
 The love which Thou inspirest 
 
 Must glow upon the tongue, 
 The gladness Thou upstirrest 
 
 Must overflow in song. 
 
 Thy folk with Thee are filled, 
 
 Thy life within them dwells ; 
 The life must be revealed, 
 
 The song spontaneous swells. 
 Whate'er the good that bringeth 
 
 Joy to the godly soul, 
 Unto her God she singeth, 
 
 Her tuneful chants forth roll. 
 
 Sometimes the song ascendeth 
 While still the task proceeds ; 
 
 The song the task commendeth, 
 The lay the labour speeds. 
 
1890. 
 
 of Praise. 1 3 
 
 How ring those cheerful voices ! 
 
 How strive those toiling hands ! 
 Still the full heart rejoices, 
 
 As the long work expands. 
 
 But is the work too earnest 
 
 For song therewith to blend ? 
 But when the strife is sternest 
 
 May cheerful strains ascend ? 
 How gladly the soul singeth 
 
 When the hard task is done ! 
 How loud the rapture ringeth 
 
 When the sore fight is won ! 
 
 If here 'midst sin and sadness 
 
 Thy people, Lord, will sing, 
 If here sweet strains of gladness 
 
 From stricken souls forth ring : 
 Must not the blissful regions 
 
 Perpetual song inspire ? 
 Must not the angelic legions 
 
 Yield a " full-voiced quire " ? l 
 
 There fitting tasks supernal 
 
 Employ the Heavenly Host : 
 Of the blest year eternal 
 
 No moment will be lost ; 
 But boundless Love will never 
 
 Withhold its thankful voice ; 
 And endless Bliss will ever 
 
 In endless song. rejoice. 
 
 To the full-voiced quire below." — // Penseroso. 
 
14 The Golden Chain 
 
 VIII. 
 
 " Semper Agens et semper Quietus." 
 " Ever at work and ever at rest." 
 
 AUGUSTINE. 
 
 THOU workest on, Eternal God j 
 No weariness doth Thee oppress ; 
 
 Yet hast Thou ever Thine abode 
 In awful deeps of quietness. 
 
 O endless rest divine that ne'er 
 Stayeth Thy still creating might ! 
 
 O ceaseless work that may not stir 
 The stillness of the Infinite ! 
 
 Alas ! we toil, then weary grow, 
 We mourn repose a passing guest : 
 
 Alas, our fire that burnetii low, 
 Our halting work, our broken rest ! 
 
 Ah ! vainly do our spirits yearn 
 In peace to dwell, at work to be ? • 
 
 May we not to our Father turn ? 
 May we not, Lord, abide in Thee ? 
 
 May not the weary weaklings grow 
 
 Strong in His strength who fainteth never ? 
 
 May not the restless mourners know 
 Of His repose who resteth ever ? 
 
 For us, dear Lord, those eagle-wings j 
 
 Thy fellow-workers weary not ; 
 And ours the Heavenly Dove that brings 
 The peace divine which passeth thought. 
 1854. 
 
of Praise. 1 5 
 
 IX. 
 
 JOY IN THE WORKS OF GOD. 
 
 A Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work ; 1 
 will triumph in the works of Thy hands." 
 
 NOT, Lord, its own dear joys alone 
 
 This heart to rapture raise ; 
 The grace which seemeth most my own, 
 
 Employs not all my praise. 
 
 Each wonder of Thy hand still makes 
 
 My gladness sweet and strong ; 
 The glory of my God still wakes 
 
 The glory of my song. 
 
 I walk amidst Thy beauty forth : 
 
 My joy Thy praise declares ; 
 I bless Thee with Thy blooming earth, 
 
 I drink Thy vernal airs. 
 
 Those old, eternal hills of Thine, 
 What mighty cheer they breathe ! 
 
 What fulness of delight divine 
 Thy solemn stars bequeath ! 
 
 When cheer and strength my soul doth lack, 
 
 Thy glory makes me whole : 
 Amidst Thy summer I win back 
 
 The summer of my soul. 
 
 How bright Thy footsteps through all Time, 
 
 Thy wonders from of yore ! 
 I follow with a joy sublime : 
 
 My rapture runneth o'er. 
 
1852. 
 
 The Golden Chain 
 
 I mingle with Thy men of might ; 
 
 My soul is lifted up : 
 In Thy meek martyrs I delight ; 
 
 How sweet my bitter cup ! 
 
 Not only, in Thy blessed Son, 
 
 My Saviour dear I see, 
 Nor in Thy Gospel greet alone 
 
 Thy wondrous grace to me : 
 
 In the Redemption I delight 
 
 That glorifies Thy name ; 
 Thy First Born Son, Thine Image Bright 
 
 Enamoured I proclaim. 
 
 Lord ! still will I triumphant greet 
 
 Each wonder of Thy grace ; 
 But then my joy will be complete 
 
 When I behold Thy face. 
 
 DELIGHT IN GOD'S LAW. 
 " Thy statutes have been my song." 
 
 FULL many a smile, full many a song 
 Makes glad my portion here ; 
 
 Lord ! all my strains to Thee belong : 
 Thou sendest all my cheer. 
 
 But O my God ! my songs divine 
 
 Are sweetest far to me ; 
 My singing robes most glorious shine, 
 
 Put on, dear Lord, for Thee. 
 
 
1854- 
 
 of Praise. iy 
 
 Joy ! joy ! when Thou the theme dost lend, 
 
 When Thou the song dost make ! 
 How sweet Thy gifts on Thee to spend, 
 
 Thy glory home to take ! 
 
 I sing because Thy works are fair : 
 
 Thy glory makes me glad ; 
 The garments bright of praise I wear, 
 
 For Thou art brightly clad. 
 
 Full triumph doth my soul possess, 
 
 Because Thy ways are right : 
 The glory of Thy righteousness 
 
 Maketh my dear delight. 
 
 How great the judgments Thou hast wrought ! 
 
 How tremblingly I sing ! 
 How good the statutes Thou hast taught ! 
 
 How glad the song I bring ! 
 
 The beauty of Thy holiness 
 
 Uplifts this strain of mine : 
 And when Thy paths my footsteps press 
 
 My song becomes divine. 
 
 But, Lord, when will all mournfulness 
 
 Even from this song remove ? 
 I sing the statutes I transgress ; 
 
 I break the law I love. 
 
 O help me better to obey, 
 
 More gloriously to sing ! 
 The pilgrim that best keeps Thy way 
 
 The sweetest song will bring. 
 
The Golden Chain 
 
 XI. 
 
 SPIRIT-CHEER. 
 
 Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb? 
 
 CAN spirit-cheer more sweetness yield 
 Than longing lips from honey draw ? 
 Can souls with livelier joy be filled 
 In keeping of Thy holy law ? 
 
 Yes, Lord, such high delights attend 
 The souls that with Thy love o'erflow ; 
 Such longings doth Thy Spirit lend ; 
 Such banquets doth Thy grace bestow. 
 
 The joys that to those feasts belong, 
 They wax not faint, they may not die : 
 Each pure delight becomes more strong, 
 More lasting for its purity. 
 
 This earth so fair, this sky so bright, 
 This vernal bloom, this summer glow, 
 They still inspire, they still delight, 
 Nor tire with time, with youth nor go. 
 
 But O the joys, Eternal God, 
 From fellowship with Thee that spring ! 
 The brightness by Thy smile bestowed, 
 The gladness Thy right statutes bring : 
 
 The glory of Thy perfect law, 
 
 The sweetness of Thy perfect love, 
 
 The blest repose of holy awe, 
 
 The trust serene that nought may move— 
 
IS90. 
 
 of Praise, 19 
 
 The glow of the upsoaring soul, 
 The beckoning of the Heavenly Host — 
 The life in God, so strong, so full, 
 The gladness of the Holy Ghost ! 
 
 O sweetness more than honey sweet 
 That winneth still, that cloyeth never, 
 That yields the soul a feast complete 
 Yet leaves her sweetly longing ever ! 
 
 XII. 
 
 THE DIVINE IMPARTER. 
 
 LORD ! Thou delightest meetly 
 
 In Thine own glory bright : 
 Thou may'st abide full sweetly 
 
 In Thine exceeding might : 
 No straitness Thee compelleth 
 
 Forth from Thy joy to come ; 
 With Thee all fulness dwelleth : 
 
 The Lord may stay at home. 
 
 But O ! Thy strength is tender : 
 
 Thou art all Love and Light ; 
 Thou puttest forth Thy splendour 
 
 That we may grow more bright ; 
 Abroad Thy greatness goeth, 
 
 Thy people strong to make ; 
 Around Thy sweetness floweth, 
 
 Thy people's song to wake. 
 
20 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thou, whom all fulness filleth, 
 
 Wouldst fill our souls with Thee 
 The Blissful Presence willeth 
 
 That bliss our own to be : 
 The Holy Spirit mourneth 
 
 Until we cease from sin : 
 The Lord of glory yearneth 
 
 For us to dwell therein. 
 1856. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 GOD FOR US. 
 
 WHEREFORE faint and fearful ever, 
 
 Do we yet our fears belie ? 
 Oft sore stricken, still endeavour, 
 
 Oft brought low, still look on high ? 
 God is for us ; 
 
 God our Helper still is nigh. 
 
 
 He who suns and worlds upholdeth 
 Lends us His upholding hand ; 
 
 He the ages who unfoldeth 
 
 Doth our times and ways command. 
 
 God is for us ; 
 In His strength and stay we stand. 
 
 He who sage and seer instructed 
 Will not keep from us His lore ; 
 
 Who those ancient saints conducted 
 Hath not given His guiding o'er. 
 
 God is for us, 
 Helpful now as heretofore. 
 
 
iSSo. 
 
 of Praise. 21 
 
 Hard the fight with flesh and devil ; 
 
 Dread the might of inbred sin ; 
 How can we encounter evil 
 
 Strong without and strong within? 
 God is for us; 
 
 He will help and we shall win. 
 
 'Gainst oppression forth He sends us, 
 His the cause of Truth and Right ; 
 
 With His own great host He blends us, 
 Lendeth us of His own might. 
 
 God is for us, 
 Brings to happy end the fight. 
 
 Do we seem forlorn, forsaken ? 
 
 Do we mourn our dwindling powers ? 
 Not our all what Time hath taken — 
 
 Not our all what Death devours ; 
 God is for us ; 
 
 His almighty strength is ours. 
 
 Onward, upward, doth He beckon ; 
 
 Onward, upward, would we press ; 
 As His own our burdens reckon, 
 
 As our own His strength possess. 
 God is for us; 
 
 God, our Helper, still we bless. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 GOD WITH US. 
 
 NOT only, Lord, a Helper true 
 
 For us wouldst Thou appear ; 
 Thou hast become our Brother too ; 
 
 Thou hast been with us here. 
 
22 The Golden Chain 
 
 Not only wouldst Thou help and heal 
 Our weakness and our woe ; 
 
 That very sadness Thou didst feel, 
 That very weakness know. 
 
 With us Thou didst in Thy dear Son 
 Through all our lot abide, 
 
 No burden miss, no sorrow shun, 
 Each care, each toil divide. 
 
 Our various warfare Thou didst wage, 
 
 With us to battle go ; 
 Yes, Leader of the host, engage 
 
 Each foremost, fellest foe. 
 
 Dear Son of God, Thou didst not shrink 
 
 Our utmost hap to try ; 
 With us in death's cold arms to sink, 
 
 In earth's dark bed to lie ; 
 
 With us in all our depth of woe, 
 In all Thy height of love ; 
 
 Our own through all the way below, 
 Nor less our own above. 
 
 Our earthly darkness Thou didst lend 
 Of Thine own heavenly light, 
 
 And with our mortal weakness blend 
 Thine own immortal might. 
 
 Whate'er the path our feet explore, 
 
 Still are we holpen thus ; 
 Hath not the Lord been here before, 
 
 Here, in the deeps with us ? 
 
of Praise. 23 
 
 xv. 
 GOD IN US. 
 
 FOR us the Lord doth mightily, 
 
 With us hath made abode ; 
 Yet would He come more near, would be 
 
 Our own Indwelling God. 
 
 Yes, Lord, Thou wouldst fulfil Thy grace, 
 
 Thyself wouldst wholly give ; 
 Within us set a dwelling-place, 
 
 Within us work and live ! 
 
 In all Thy power wouldst Thou descend, 
 
 A home in us to win ; 
 And then, its meanness to commend, 
 
 Bring all Thy glory in ; — 
 
 Thy peace, Thy joy, Thy holiness, 
 Thy life, Thy love, Thy light ; 
 
 In us Thy beauty wouldst express, 
 In us unfold Thy might. 
 
 Yes, in our spirits' inmost shrine 
 Sweet Spirit ! wouldst Thou dwell ; 
 
 Wouldst there give forth Thy lore Divine, 
 There set Thine oracle. 
 
 Lord ! askest Thou our souls in vain 
 
 To yield Thee an abode ? 
 W r ould not we humbly entertain 
 
 Our own indwelling God ? 
 
24 The Golden Chain 
 
 May not our life the beams commend 
 Of Thine inshining light ; 
 
 Yes, some faint, lowly witness lend 
 To Thine indwelling might ? 
 
 1886. 
 
 1886. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 GOD FOR US, WITH US, IN US. 
 
 VARIOUSLY our God would win us, 
 
 Fast our fainting souls would hold ; 
 For us, with us, and within us, 
 
 Lord, Thy grace how manifold ! 
 Loftier height to height succeedeth ; 
 
 Deeper deeps we still explore ; 
 Wonder on to wonder leadeth ; 
 
 Much seems most, yet most hath more. 
 
 Who may be a fit forth-teller 
 
 Of these heights and deeps divine ? 
 Helper, Brother and Indweller, 
 
 Who can speak that love of Thine ? 
 Wondrously Thyself Thou knittest 
 
 To the fulness of our need ; 
 Wondrously our souls admittest 
 
 On Thine own full store to feed. 
 
 From above our footsteps guiding, 
 
 Sharer of our house of clay, 
 In our inmost souls abiding, 
 
 Still with us the Lord doth stay. 
 All our life Thine own Thou makest ; 
 
 All our need dost Thou fulfil ; 
 All our love and wonder wakest, 
 
 For us, with us, in us still. 
 
 
of Praise. 25 
 
 XVII. 
 
 THE LORD OF HOSTS. 
 
 NO more may souls of worth 
 The Lord of Hosts adore ? 
 May glowing lips sing forth 
 The glorious name no more ? 
 In loftiest mood 
 Still seems it meet 
 Therewith to greet 
 Our loving God ? 
 
 Yes, Heavenly Father, well 
 
 The name befits Thee now \ 
 In Thee all love doth dwell, 
 Yet Lord of Hosts art Thou ; 
 Still comes from Thee 
 Victorious might j 
 Thy folk still fight ; 
 Thy foes still flee. 
 
 The bloodless war with Wrong, — 
 
 Thou minglest, Lord, therein ; 
 Thy people still prolong 
 The sinless fight with sin. 
 The sons of peace 
 Thy host compose ; 
 Confound Thy foes, 
 Thy realm increase. 
 
 As saints their gifts disclose, 
 
 As godly souls abound, 
 Thy host more numerous grows, 
 
 Thy name more great doth sound. 
 
26 The Golden Chain 
 
 The Lord of Hosts 
 More widely sways, 
 More voices praise 
 The Lord of Hosts. 
 
 As godly souls depart, 
 
 As saints forsake the earth, 
 Still Lord of Hosts Thou art ; 
 Thy name still ringeth forth. 
 The Heavenly Host 
 More large doth grow, 
 More bright doth glow, 
 More bliss doth boast. 
 
 O Lord of Hosts, impel 
 
 Our souls their best to bring ! 
 Give us Thy host to swell ! 
 Give us Thy name to sing ! — 
 Below, above 
 To join that throng — 
 To swell that song 
 Below, above ! 
 1893. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 THE KING OF GLORY. 
 
 " The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory." 
 
 AS on green hill-tops Day divinely dawns, 
 
 As noontide sunshine streams through woodlands fair, 
 
 As eve's soft brightness rests on flowery lawns 
 
 We gaze and see the King of Glory there. 
 
 j 
 
of Praise. 27 
 
 Beneath the midnight blue, the starry realm 
 
 We send our wondering souls aloft, abroad : 
 
 Those thronging worlds and suns our thoughts o'erwhelm 
 
 But fill us with the glory of our God. 
 
 Amidst the torrent's roar, the tempest's wrath, 
 Up pine-clad mountains, on to snow-crowned peaks, 
 We follow on the King of Glory's path, 
 We listen as the King of Glory speaks. 
 
 Yet more augustly doth His pathway shine 
 Along the gleaming torch of spirits bright j 
 Yet more sublimely sounds that Voice Divine, 
 As deep-souled prophets utter words of might. 
 
 The saints who Heaven's own air have breathed on earth; 
 The heroes who for Truth and Right have striven, 
 He biddeth them uprise, He leads them forth ; 
 Yes, gathers here below the host of Heaven. 
 
 From Him they take their strength and draw their light, 
 Through them He sweetens, brightens earth's sad story ; 
 They show His presence, they declare His might ; 
 The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. 
 
 Strong in His people still doth He appear, 
 Through Him, with Him, for Him the fight they win : 
 The Lord of Hosts is still victorious here, 
 And still the King of Glory cometh in. 
 
 Up, faithful souls ! with that array be blent ! 
 Its warfare here, its triumph there partake ! 
 Below, above that valiant host augment — 
 The King of Glory yet more glorious make ! 
 
28 The Golden Chain 
 
 Look how that host its shining ranks extends ; 
 How each new-comer Heaven new light doth bring ! 
 In you He shines ; with yours His bliss He blends ; 
 The Lord of Hosts, He is the glorious King. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 THE LIVING GOD. 
 
 NOT, Lord, Thine ancient works alone, 
 Thy wonders to past ages shown, 
 
 Make our glad spirits glow ! 
 Our eyes behold Thy works of might ; 
 On us full beam Thy wonders bright ; 
 
 The Living God we know. 
 
 We joy, not only to be told 
 
 How with Thy saints and seers of old 
 
 Thou madest sweet abode. 
 We of Thy presence bright can tell ; 
 Thou in Thy living saints dost dwell, 
 
 We feel the Living God. 
 
 Within, Thy presence music makes ; 
 Forth from our lips the rapture breaks ; 
 
 A strain divine we raise ; 
 Thou sendest down this heavenly fire, 
 This very song Thou dost inspire ; 
 
 The Living God we praise. 
 
 Thou settest us each task divine. 
 We bless that helping hand of Thine, 
 
 That strength by Thee bestowed. 
 Thou minglest in the glorious fight ; 
 Thine own the cause ! Thine own the might ! 
 
 We serve the Living God. 
 
i8 7 4. 
 
 of Praise. 29 
 
 Ah ! soon we droop ; ah ! soon we tire ; 
 Our fainting souls new strength require, 
 
 Again would quickened be ; 
 We ask no priest j we seek no shrine ; 
 To Thee we come for life divine, 
 
 Thou Living God, to Thee. 
 
 O more than satisfy our need ! 
 Our most divine desires exceed, 
 
 Our daily Quickener be ! 
 Thou Living God, possess us still ! 
 Thy wondrous life in us fulfil, 
 
 Our blessed life in Thee ! 
 
 xx. 
 
 THE WELL OF LIFE. 
 "With Thee is the well of life." 
 
 LOOK not before, look not behind, 
 
 Ye who would truly live ; 
 Not far to seek, not hard to find 
 
 The Well that life doth give. 
 
 In Thee, Thou everlasting God, 
 The Well of Life doth lie j 
 
 From Thee its water streams abroad, 
 From Thee, the ever Nigh. 
 
 Ye fainting pilgrims who would win 
 Fresh strength along the road, 
 
 Life from the Well of Life drink in- 
 Life from the Living God ! 
 
30 The Golden Chain 
 
 In quest of peace, in quest of cheer, 
 Abroad ye need not roam 
 
 With the full Well of Life so near, 
 With your own Lord at home. 
 
 Are ye with care and toil oppressed ? 
 
 Drink and cast off your load ! 
 The nighest well is virtuousest, 1 
 
 The Well of Life with God. 
 
 Quaff not a slight, a short supply, 
 Deep, gladsome drinkers be ! 
 
 The W^ell of Life is never dry, 
 Is ever full and free. 
 
 Yet inlier, Living Waters, spring — 
 
 Within us rise and swell ! 
 
 Dwell in us, Lord, and with Thee bring 
 
 Life's overflowing Well. 
 1892. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 FIRST FAIR AND ALMIGHTY. 
 " Pnlcherri7iie et FortissimeP 
 
 AUGUSTINE. 
 
 HIGH up the eternal hills among, 
 Amidst the storm, along the shore, 
 
 Beneath the countless starry throng 
 Thy might, Almighty, I adore. 
 
 1 " Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best." — Paradise Lost, 
 viii. 550. 
 
 . 
 
1855- 
 
 of Praise. 
 
 In noon's full blaze, at dawn's soft blush, 
 When eve its sweetest smile doth wear, 
 
 In fulness of May's bloom and flush 
 Thy beauty I discern, First Fair. 
 
 strength that suns and worlds employ ! 
 
 glory making angels bright ! 
 Yet may I say, the Lord my joy ; 
 
 Yet may I say, the Lord my might. 
 
 Thou liftest up this fainting heart ; 
 
 Thou beamest on this yearning soul ; 
 For me, great God, Thou mighty art ; 
 
 For me, First Fair, art beautiful. 
 
 1 hide behind my Heavenly Shield ; 
 
 1 glow beneath my Sun Divine ; 
 Mine still of Thine own might to wield — 
 
 Mine still with Thine own beams to shine. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 JOY IN THE GLORY OF GOD. 
 
 "The glories that compose Thy name 
 Stand all engaged to make me blest." 
 
 WATTS. 
 
 MY God ! I do not flee from Thee 
 
 Because Thou awful art ; 
 Thy glories, Lord, oppress not me, 
 
 Nor make afraid my heart. 
 
 Father, Redeemer, Quickener mine, 
 What joy Thy glories yield ! 
 
 That majesty, that might of Thine 
 I count my Sun and Shield. 
 
32 The Golden Chain 
 
 Who but Thyself, All-glorious Guest, 
 Joy to this sad soul brings ? 
 
 And where may this poor changeling rest 
 But 'neath the Eternal Wings ? 
 
 whither dares this sinner press, 
 But, Holy One, to Thee ? 
 
 And what but Thine Almightiness 
 This weakling's help may be ? 
 
 1 tremble, and Thou mak'st me bold : 
 
 I weep ; smiles come from Thee : 
 I faint, and Thy strong arms enfold : 
 I die ; Thou quickenest me. 
 
 My weakness Thy dear succour gains ; 
 
 That weakness, Lord, I love : 
 Yes, sweet the frailty that constrains 
 
 My soul to look above ! 
 
 O if I find mine earthly rest 
 In Thee, my glorious God, 
 How will Thy glory make me blest 
 In Thine own bright abode ! 
 1849. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 " All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord, and Thy 
 saints shall bless Thee. 11 
 
 LORD, what harmonious praise doth break 
 
 From all Thy works abroad ! 
 What good Thy happy creatures speak 
 
 Of their all-gracious God ! 
 
of Praise. 33 
 
 How gloriously Thy sun beams forth 
 
 The glory of Thy name ! 
 How sweetly Thy fair, blooming earth 
 
 Doth the First Fair proclaim ! 
 
 How mightily the eternal hills 
 
 Thy faithfulness upraise ! 
 How well each tuneful bird fulfils 
 
 Its pleasure and Thy praise ! 
 
 Well pleased, Lord, Thou listenest 
 
 As Thy creation sings j 
 But O ! those songs delight Thee best 
 
 Thy new-creation brings. 
 
 Ye souls, whom your own Ford hath led 
 
 From grace to grace along, 
 Ye chosen, ransomed, hallowed, 
 
 What song can match your song ? 
 
 Melodious tell your wondrous tale, 
 
 Each happy bird outsing : 
 More blissful than the nightingale, 
 
 His ecstasy outring ! 
 
 Sing of the Father, who of old 
 
 His love upon you set, 
 And for His glory manifold 
 
 Your spirits did beget ! 
 
 Sing of the Son, your flesh who wore, 
 
 Your vale of tears who sought ; 
 Sing of His grace, your sins who bore, 
 
 Your righteousness who wrought ! 
 
 3 
 
34 The Golden Chain 
 
 Sing of the mighty Quickener 
 Your souls who maketh new ; 
 
 Be glad in the dear Comforter 
 Who dwelleth here with you ! 
 
 Adore the patience infinite 
 
 That beareth with you still, 
 And in the faithful Lord delight 
 
 Who shall His work fulfil ! 
 
 Yes, sing Him a celestial song, 
 
 A song that shall not die, 
 That still shall wax more sweet, more strong, 
 
 Through all eternity ! 
 
 My God ! may such a strain be poured 
 From this poor heart to Thee ? 
 
 May all Thy happy creatures, Lord, 
 Be thus outsung by me ? 
 
 O ! help me here to give Thee praise 
 
 Thy glad birds may not bring, 
 And there the very song to raise 
 Thy blessed angels sing. 
 1862. 
 
 xxiv. 
 JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. 
 
 LORD ! Thy presence dear delighteth, 
 While Thine earth is our abode ; 
 
 Heaven our pilgrim steps inviteth : 
 Yet Thy glory fills the road ; 
 
 Yet we sweetly 
 Journey on with Thee, our God. 
 
of Praise. 35 
 
 If we love this beaming Nature, 
 'Tis that there our God doth shine ; 
 
 In each gracious, glorious creature, 
 Lord, we love those beams of Thine : 
 
 Earth hath won Thee, 
 Her best glory is divine. 
 
 Sweetly rests the Smile Eternal 
 
 Full upon the Vale of Tears ; 
 Glory from the Throne Supernal 
 
 In the wilderness appears ; 
 
 Once Thou knewest 
 
 Earthly house and mortal years. 
 
 Round about us waits Thy splendour j 
 
 Ah dull-eyed and groping we ! 
 Thou dost woo us, bright and tender ; 
 
 Why are we not won to Thee ? 
 Lord ! we will not ; 
 
 Full of Thee we will not be ! 
 
 Ah ! Thy brightest dimly hail Thee ; 
 
 Oft Thy presence doth remove : 
 Earthborn mists too often veil Thee, 
 
 Sin is strong to hide Thy love. 
 Yet it shineth, 
 
 Yet we bless the light above ! 
 
 Happy Heaven, wherethrough it streameth 
 
 Bathing saints and seraphim ! 
 Blissful souls whereon it beameth, 
 
 Never distant, never dim ! 
 
 Glows the vision 
 
 In each glowing heart and hymn. 
 
36 The Golden Chain 
 
 Fully there the Lord appeareth, 
 Fully there those glad eyes gaze j 
 
 Not one cloud the glory weareth, 
 Yet they woo the awful blaze, 
 Sunward soaring 
 Through the happy, heavenly days. 
 
 Vision of strange joy prolific, 
 Vision full of the First Fair, 
 Holy Vision Beatific ! 
 
 May our eyes the glory share ? 
 
 Holy Spirit ! 
 Hallow us this bliss to bear ! 
 1849. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 " Secretissime et Prcesentissime." 
 
 " Most Hidden and Most Manifest." 
 
 AUGUSTINE. 
 
 O HEIGHT that doth all height excel 
 
 Where the Almighty doth abide ! 
 O awful depth unsearchable 
 
 Wherein the Eternal One doth hide ! 
 
 O dreadful glory that doth make 
 
 Thick darkness round the Heavenly Throne, 
 Through which no angel-eye may break, 
 
 Wherein the Lord doth dwell alone ! 
 
 Our fainting souls the quest give o'er, 
 
 Their weary wings no longer try : 
 His dwelling we may not explore, 
 
 We may not on His glory pry. 
 
of Praise. 37 
 
 What secret place, what distant star 
 Is like, dread Lord, to Thine abode ? 
 
 Why dwellest Thou from us so far ? 
 We yearn for Thee, Thou Hidden God. 
 
 Vain searchers ! but we need not mourn : 
 We need not stretch our weary wings ; 
 
 Thou meetest us where'er we turn ; 
 
 Thou beamest, Lord, from all bright things. 
 
 The glory no man may abide 
 
 Doth visit us, a gracious guest ; 
 Thou whom " excess of light " doth hide 
 
 Here shinest sweetly manifest. 
 
 But sweetest, Lord, dost Thou appear 
 In the dear Saviour's smiling face : 
 
 The Heavenly Majesty draws near 
 And offers us its soft embrace. 
 
 To us, vain searchers after God, 
 To us the Holy Ghost doth come ; 
 
 From us Thou hidest Thine abode ; 
 
 But Thou wilt make our souls Thy home. 
 
 O Glory that no eye may bear ! 
 
 O Presence Bright, our souls' sweet guest ! 
 O Farthest off, O ever Near ! 
 
 Most Hidden and Most Manifest ! 
 1853. 
 
38 The Golden Chain 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 THE OPEN SECRET. 
 
 " Open Thou mine eyes to behold ivondrous things out of 
 Thy law." 
 
 LORD ! to Thy works so grand, so fair, 
 
 Glad, wondering looks our young eyes raise ; 
 
 The glorious garments Thou dost wear 
 Delight our weak, unsteadfast gaze. 
 
 But every day the glory grows 
 
 On our exploring, lingering eyes ; 
 More bright, more fair the beauty shows ; 
 
 More marvellous the wonders rise. 
 
 Thy words of grace our soft souls please ; 
 
 Thy words of awe we trembling hear ; 
 Yes, glorious sound the promises 
 
 Unto our childhood's yielding ear. 
 
 But to the fulness of their sound 
 
 We may not then our ears resign ; 
 We lightly tread the Holy Ground, 
 
 Nor gaze into those deeps divine. 
 
 On our dim vision, Spirit sweet, 
 
 Thine own all-piercing brightness pour ; 
 
 Celestial Guide, direct our feet 
 The region meetly to explore ! 
 
 Give us each Birth of Grace to hail, 
 
 Each wonder of the Word to bless ; 
 And to their innermost unveil 
 
 The glory of the promises ! 
 
of Praise. 39 
 
 List, soul, what sweet, strange things unheard 
 To thy rapt ear each promise saith ! 
 
 Lo ! in the ocean of the Word 
 Deep after bright deep openeth. 
 
 Each day, revealing Spirit, show 
 
 Some marvel new, some glory bright, 
 And in the unfolded Word bestow 
 Fulness of wonder and delight ! 
 1855. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 GOD GLORIOUS IN HIS WORKS. 
 
 IS not my spirit filled with Thine 
 
 Amidst Thy beauty, Lord ? 
 Are not Thy visits there divine, 
 
 Thy glory there outpoured ? 
 
 How full the life divine I breathe 
 These gladsome streams along, 
 
 Amidst these vales, those stars beneath, 
 The eternal hills among ! 
 
 Hast Thou not put Thy glory there 
 
 For me to make it mine, 
 Yes, shed Thy beauty everywhere 
 
 In this glad heart to shine ? 
 
 No sense of mine partakes Thy cheer 
 
 Without a nobler guest ; 
 No pleasure waits on eye or ear 
 
 But, Lord, my soul is blest. 
 
40 The Golden Chain 
 
 Yes, every fair, bright thing I see 
 My soul some brightness brings ; 
 
 I hear the outer harmony : 
 Within a sweeter springs. 
 
 Nor glad air breatheth, but I win 
 A quickening more divine ; 
 
 My spirit drinks Thy fulness in ; 
 Thy Spirit breathes in mine. 
 
 Behold Thy temple, where my heart 
 Runs o'er in prayer and song, 
 
 Where oft I seek my Lord apart, 
 And oft Thy praise prolong. 
 
 But O ! not thus, not yet, not here 
 Doth Thy best brightness come : 
 
 Thy Word hath still diviner cheer ; 
 More bliss Thy Heavenly Home. 
 
 Yet here its light and beauty grow ; 
 
 Here endless gifts are given : 
 Yes, all the glory won below 
 Shall glorify our Heaven. 
 1846-66. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 GOD MOST GLORIOUS IN HIS WORD. 
 
 O BEAMING sun ! O solemn stars ! 
 
 Glad streams and hills sublime ! 
 O blooming earth ! O balmy airs ! 
 
 O myriad voiced chime ! 
 
of Praise. 41 
 
 Ye make me glad, ye lift me high, 
 
 Ye publish the First Fair, 
 The Mighty One ye magnify, 
 
 His glory ye declare. 
 
 But not from you His truth and grace 
 
 My longing soul may know ; 
 Ye bring me not to His embrace ; 
 
 My God ye cannot show. 
 
 Ye cannot make the Father known 
 
 Who chose me in His grace, 
 Nor show His glory as it shone 
 
 In mine own Saviour's face. 
 
 The glorious tale ye cannot tell 
 
 Of sweet Incarnate Love ; 
 O ! not among these bowers doth dwell 
 
 The Holy, Heavenly Dove. 
 
 No beam from these bright azure skies 
 
 Can pierce this darkened heart ; 
 No voice among earth's harmonies 
 
 Can bid my sins depart. 
 
 The mountain-tops I gladsome hail ; 
 
 The air blows pure and free ; 
 But where is the soul-healing gale 
 
 That breathes from Calvary ? 
 
 Full many a healingplant doth grow 
 
 In many an earthly ifield ; 
 But from what blessed tree may flow 
 
 That balm the Cross doth yield ? 
 
42 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ye stars that beckon as ye burn, 
 And bid me upward come, 
 
 No, not from you the way I learn 
 To mine Eternal Home. 
 
 Lord ! set my heart upon Thy Word, 
 
 Thy treasure most divine ; 
 There all this truth and grace are stored ; 
 Make all this glory mine ! 
 1855. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 WORSHIP IN SOLITUDE. 
 
 ALONE with Thee, with Thee alone, 
 
 I breathe the heavenly air ; 
 Lord ! what sweet wonders hast Thou shown 
 
 Thy lonely worshipper ! 
 
 Thou takest this rapt soul apart 
 
 Into Thy secret place ; 
 Thou keepest for this yearning heart 
 
 The fulness of Thy grace. 
 
 For these blest eyes Thou openest 
 
 Full many a deep divine ; 
 In these glad ears Thou whisperest 
 
 Some secret sweet of Thine. 
 
 Alone my gracious Lord I hail 
 
 In the sweet strife of prayer ; 
 Alone I wrestle and prevail : 
 
 Alone I hold Thee there. 
 
of Praise. 43 
 
 Alone o'erflows this gladsome heart 
 
 In many a thankful song : 
 What triumph breaks, what raptures start 
 
 From this unaided tongue ! 
 
 Beneath some tree, beside some spring 
 
 I find a place of prayer ; 
 Upon some mountain-top I sing 
 
 And build a Bethel there. 
 
 The solitude how populous ! 
 
 My Lord doth full appear ; 
 The silence how melodious ! 
 
 My Lord alone I hear. 
 
 O Lord, my God, mine All, mine Own, 
 
 Still grant these visits sweet ! 
 Still meet Thy seeker all alone ! 
 
 These blessed hours repeat ! 
 
 XXX. 
 
 WORSHIP IN THE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 " / will give Thee thanks in the great congregation ; I 
 will praise Thee among much people." 
 
 BRIGHT Thy presence when it breaketh, 
 
 Lord, on some rapt soul apart ; 
 Sweet Thy Spirit when it speaketh 
 
 Peace unto some lonely heart ; 
 Blest the raptures 
 
 From unaided lips that start. 
 
44 The Golden Chain 
 
 But more bright Thy presence dwelleth 
 In a waiting, burning throng ; 
 
 Yet more sweet the rapture swelleth 
 Of a many-voiced song : 
 
 More divinely 
 Glows each soul glad souls among. 
 
 What a mighty prayer Love bringeth 
 When true hearts together yearn ! 
 
 What a fragrant fire upspringeth 
 When glad lips together burn ! 
 
 Bright their journey, 
 Heavenward who together turn. 
 
 Wouldst Thou not, forgiving Father, 
 By Thy children circled be ? 
 
 Wouldst Thou not, sweet Saviour, gather 
 Two or three to wait on Thee ? 
 
 Holy Spirit : 
 Lov'st Thou not a company ? 
 
 Not alone each angel waiteth j 
 Not apart each seraph sings j 
 
 Lo ! the Heavenly Host dilateth, 
 Circling bright the King of Kings : 
 
 List ! the rapture 
 From ten thousand voices rings. 
 
 With that radiant Throng Supernal 
 
 Grant me, Lord, to shine for Thee ; 
 With that Harmony Eternal 
 Blend my song eternally ! 
 
 Let me love Thee 
 Dearer still in company. 
 1856. 
 
of Praise. 45 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 THE TRAVELLER'S SONG; OR, WORSHIP 
 EVERYWHERE. 
 
 " How can we not sing the Lord's song in every land? " 
 
 NOT ours the song that needs must soar 
 From some set spot, some solemn shrine ; 
 No hallowed hill, no sacred shore 
 Commends our prayers to Grace Divine. 
 
 We go not forth to leave behind 
 Some special presence of our God j 
 We go not forth some spot to find 
 Wherein His grace makes chief abode. 
 
 Where'er we rove, with Him we go, 
 Where'er we rest, with Him we dwell; 
 From land to land with Him we glow : 
 From land to land of Him we tell. 
 
 From His one realm we ne'er remove ; 
 All regions to our God belong : 
 Xo bound shuts in the Father's love, 
 No bound confines the children's song. 
 
 Our prayers ascend where'er we climb ; 
 Where'er we gaze our souls aspire. 
 Upon some mountain-top sublime 
 Our hearts send up the Holy Fire. 
 
 We sit some gladsome stream beside : 
 Our souls are glad ; our God is nigh ; 
 Melodiously the voices glide j 
 Our song streams forth in company. 
 
46 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thy children, Lord, with Thee speed forth. 
 
 Nor e'er let go their Father's hand — 
 
 At home with Thee o'er all the earth — 
 
 Thy worshippers in every land. 
 1881. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 THE EVER OPEN TEMPLE. 
 
 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek 
 after — that L may dwell i?i the house of the Lord 
 all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the 
 Lord, and enquire in His Temple" 
 
 VAIN, Lord, Thy servant's strong desire 
 
 Still in Thy house to stay, 
 Still in Thy temple to enquire, 
 
 Thy beauty to survey. 
 
 But not in vain that yearning dear 
 
 Thy seekers now repeat j 
 To us our God is ever near, 
 
 With us would ever meet. 
 
 At home, abroad, apart, in throngs, 
 
 Of Thee we may enquire ; 
 In lonely prayer, in linked songs 
 
 To Thee we may aspire. 
 
 " Where'er we rest, where'er we rove," 
 
 Still we may dwell with Thee, 
 In godly fear, in holy love, 
 
 As in Thy sanctuary. 1 
 
 " O may these thoughts possess my breast, 
 Where'er I rove, where'er I rest." 
 
[886. 
 
 of Praise. 47 
 
 This blooming earth, this beaming sky, 
 
 This universe so fair, 
 The Temple of Thy Majesty, 
 
 Enfolds us everywhere. 
 
 At dawn's soft blush, in noon's full blaze, 
 
 'Midst eve's rich, wondrous glow, 
 Upon Thy beauty, Lord, we gaze, 
 
 Within Thy Temple bow. 
 
 The fragrancy of prayer is blent 
 
 With flowery odours sweet ; 
 The nightingale's full ravishment 
 
 Our own glad songs repeat. 
 
 'Tis well in temples made with hands 
 
 Sometimes to greet our God ; 
 This Temple always open stands ; 
 
 'Tis His, 'tis our abode. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 SUNDAY. 
 
 LORD, how the world Thou dost o'ercome, 
 
 And make its glories Thine ! 
 Among the spoils of heathendom, 
 
 Not least doth Sunday shine. 
 
 The day whereon our sires adored 
 
 The brightness of the sun, 
 For us how sweetly was it stored ! 
 
 By Thee how meetly won ! 
 
48 The Golden Chain 
 
 Glad thankful throngs their vows still pay, 
 The Lord of Light still bless ; 
 
 The Sun is still adored to-day — 
 The Sun of Righteousness. 
 
 Yes, dearer, deeper thanks ascend, 
 True Sun of souls, to Thee, 
 
 Who makest Sin's thick darkness end 
 And Death's dread shadows flee. 
 
 Are not Thy people sons of light, 
 
 Glad children of the day ? 
 Each grace of theirs, so humbly bright, 
 
 Is't not Thine own faint ray ? 
 
 Each day they hail their Sun Divine, 
 Thy warmth, Thy brightness, bless : 
 
 But dost Thou not on Sunday shine 
 With special gloriousness ? 
 
 Thy glory shines away their cares, 
 
 Their linked joy prolongs ; 
 Thy fervour breatheth in their prayers, 
 
 And burneth in their songs. 
 
 And when on Thine own blessed day 
 That lesser sun beams bright, 
 
 And blends his tributary ray 
 With Thy transcendent light : 
 
 With joy Thy people look on him, 
 
 With dearer joy on Thee, 
 And feel his utmost splendour dim 
 
 Beside Thy radiancy. 
 
of I 49 
 
 5t Sun ! more glad, more d< 
 Make this Thy day divine, 
 Until the everlastii 
 
 One blissful Sunday shine. 
 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 THE LORD'S DAY. 
 " This is the day the Lord Juith mad. 
 
 UPRISEN Lord ! this day is Thine 
 
 Above all other d. 
 Thou makest all its hours divine : 
 
 Thou makest all its praise. 
 
 It tells of Thy victorious strife 
 With sin and death and hell : 
 
 Of blissful hope, of endless life, 
 The happy day doth tell. 
 
 It beams with the undying light 
 
 Of Thy glad rising morn : 
 From Thy pervading Presence Bright 
 
 Its peace, its joy are drawn. 
 
 That Presence makes us glad and strong, 
 The mourning Twain which cheered ; 
 
 As when Thy fearful ones among 
 Bliss-bringing it appeared. 
 
 Yes, surely by the Spirit blest 
 
 Thy people on were borne 
 To set their day of joy and rest 
 
 Upon Thy rising morn. 
 
50 The Golden Chain 
 
 With reverent love they cherished, 
 With duteous care arrayed 
 
 The day their Lord had hallowed, 
 The day their Lord had made. 
 
 On this our hallowed day we seek 
 The rest by Israel won : 
 
 We make our heathen fathers speak 
 The glory of our Sun. 
 
 But our own Lord uprisen makes 
 The life of the Lord's Day, 
 
 His work it tells. His name it takes, 
 His fulness doth display. 
 
 Our Sabbath yieldeth us sweet rest : 
 Our Sunday bright doth shine ; 
 
 But fullest, sweetest, holiest, best 
 The Lord's own Day Divine. 
 1893. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 THE LORD'S DAY EVENING. 
 
 FAREWELL, delightful day, 
 Day of divine delight ! 
 We hailed thy gladsome morning ray, 
 We bless thine evening bright. 
 
 Hath not the Lord been sought ? 
 Hath not our King been near ? 
 Hath not His grace new wonders wrought ? 
 Hath not His house been dear ? 
 
 
of Praise. 5 I 
 
 Have not we given Him there 
 Our passions and our powers ? 
 Has not the joy of mingled prayer, 
 Of mingled praise been ours ? 
 
 Have not we, King of grace, 
 Together soared above, 
 Together seen Thy smiling face, 
 Together told Thy love ? 
 
 Hath not a mighty power 
 
 Unto our prayers been given ? 
 Hath not the Holy Ghost once more 
 
 Brought down the fire from Heaven ? 
 
 From souls divinely glad 
 
 Have not glad songs upsoared ? 
 Have not our hearts and voices made 
 Sweet music to our Lord ? 
 
 Was it not sweet to talk 
 Of Thy dear love at home ? 
 Yes, sweet abroad with Thee to walk 
 And back with Thee to come ? 
 
 Dear Lord ! the day was bright 
 Because the day was Thine ; 
 This full, this manifold delight, 
 Was it not all divine ? 
 
 Repeat the gladness here ! 
 Fulfil the bliss above ! 
 Thy day, the everlasting year, 
 
 The eternal joy, Thy love. 
 :867. 
 
52 The Golden Chain 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN HIS 
 PEOPLE. 
 
 " Ye are a spiritual house." 
 
 LORD GOD ! of old who wentest 
 
 Where'er the ark removed, 
 Who Thine own presence lentest 
 
 To Sion's hill beloved ; 
 Who in the cloud didst render 
 
 Thine Israel's camp divine, 
 And in the fiery splendour 
 
 Amidst her host didst shine ! 
 
 Where now is seen Thy glory ? 
 
 Where makest Thou abode ? 
 Where now on earth doth tarry 
 
 The Presence of our God ? 
 For still Thine arm Thou showest : 
 
 For still Thou dost appear : 
 Thy presence Thou bestowest 
 
 Still in Thy temple here. 
 
 Where'er Thy saints confess Thee 
 
 With lifted hearts and hands, 
 Where'er Thy people bless Thee, 
 
 There, there Thy temple stands. 
 Thy presence thence they carry, 
 
 Thy presence thither bring; 
 Thou stayest where they tarry, 
 
 Still with them goes their King. 
 
1 868. 
 
 of Praise. 53 
 
 Thou dwellest, Heavenly Father, 
 
 Where Thine own children meet j 
 Where His redeemed gather, 
 
 The Saviour there they greet. 
 Where linked souls are yearning 
 
 The Spirit yearneth there ; 
 Where hearts and lips are burning 
 
 He breathes the praise and prayer. 
 
 Lord, come and with us tarry ! 
 
 Lord, come and with us go ! 
 Be this Thy sanctuary ! 
 
 Thy presence here bestow ! 
 Here spread Thy consecration, 
 
 Here spend Thine utmost grace ; 
 Our souls Thy habitation, 
 
 Our songs Thy dwelling-place. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 " O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." 
 
 DEAR Saviour, how completely 
 
 Thy people Thee possess ! 
 Thou dwellest in them sweetly ; 
 
 Their Guest, their Guide they bless ! 
 Thy peace, Thy joy Thou givest: 
 
 Thy strength to them belongs : 
 In all their life Thou livest ; 
 
 Thou dwellest in their songs. 
 
 The joy of Thine inbringing 
 Must needs outpoured be ; 
 
 They break forth into singing, 
 For they are full of Thee. 
 
54 The Golden Chain 
 
 That rapture Thou awakest : 
 Thou sendest down that fire : 
 
 That melody Thou makest, 
 That throng Thou dost inspire. 
 
 Deep in those hearts Thou dwellest, 
 
 Forth from those hearts dost go : 
 In that full strain Thou swellest, 
 
 On those glad lips dost glow. 
 Thine Israel as she singeth 
 
 Builds thee a mansion fair : 
 Thy glory down she bringeth 
 
 To find a dwelling there. 
 
 Lord ! may this trembling singer 
 Build Thee a house divine ? 
 
 Will Thy bright Presence linger 
 In this glad strain of mine ? 
 
 If in this soul so sweetly 
 Thou makest Thine abode, 
 
 Will not Thy glory meetly 
 
 Dwell in this song, my God ? 
 1868. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 " Open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth 
 Thy praised 
 
 SPEAK to me, Lord, and I will speak ; 
 
 Sing in me, Lord, and I will sing : 
 Thy glory from my mouth shall break, 
 
 Thy music back to Thee I bring. 
 
of Praise. 55 
 
 How can my soul Thy glory learn 
 
 Unless Thy very grace inspire ? 
 How can my lips divinely burn, 
 
 And not descend the Heavenly Fire ? 
 
 Lie open, soul ! be strangely blest ! 
 
 The Lord of Glory would come in ; 
 On glowing lips ! this glorious Guest 
 
 Goes forth another soul to win. 
 
 Why is my soul so often dull ? 
 
 Ah ! wherefore are my lips so dumb ? 
 I will not of my God be full, 
 
 I will not let His glory come. 
 
 When, Lord, shall all Thy grace inspire, 
 And all my heart present the song ? 
 
 For ever mine Thy Heavenly Fire, 
 For ever Thine my glowing tongue. 
 [849. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 THE POWER OF GOD IN HIS PEOPLE. 
 
 ALMIGHTY, whose might in true souls appears, 
 Whose power in Thy folk, whose praise never faints, 
 
 Astir in Thy heroes, sublime in Thy seers, 
 Aglow in Thy sages, at home in Thy saints ! 
 
 Thy seekers of old, what nearness they found ! 
 
 Thy servants of yore, what wonders they wrought ! 
 How sweet to those listeners Thy biddings did sound ! 
 
 What tasks were fulfilled ! what offerings were brought ? 
 
 
56 The Golden Chain 
 
 In vain doth our need Thy coming invite ? 
 
 From us wilt Thou keep Thy Presence Divine ? 
 Appear in Thy strength and array us with might ! 
 
 Break forth in Thy brightness and give us to shine ! 
 
 Thou earnest to them, to us Thou wilt come ; 
 
 Thou spakest through them, through us Thou wilt 
 speak : 
 Still, still with His people the Lord is at home j 
 
 Still, still on His people His glory will break. 
 
 Still, still art Thou pleased Thy truth to unfold, 
 New life on each age, new light to outpour ; 
 
 Our souls brighter beams of Thy light may behold ; 
 Our souls fuller deeps of Thy grace may explore. 
 
 Thy might may be ours, our work may be Thine j 
 Through us may Thy grace its wonders prolong j 
 
 By us mayst Thou 'stablish Thy counsels divine 
 And still as of old in Thy people be strong. 
 1887. 
 
 XL. 
 
 SPIRITUAL WORSHIP. 
 
 " God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship 
 Him in spirit and in truth" 
 
 YE children of the Father, 
 
 For whom the Son did die, 
 Close, close around Him gather ; 
 
 Ye cannot come too nigh. 
 Draw near by Him invited, 
 
 Made bold by His own might, 
 By His own smile delighted, 
 
 With His own presence bright ! 
 
of Praise, 57 
 
 No carnal worship render, 
 
 Thrust back the intruding priest ! 
 Your Father makes the splendour ; 
 
 Your Master spreads the feast. 
 No pomp, no perfume proffer, 
 
 No graceless gaud and glare ; 
 Your hearts' own incense offer ! 
 
 Your Lord's own raiment wear ! 
 
 Himself, Himself He sought you : 
 
 Yourselves the Saviour seek ! 
 With His own blood He bought you : 
 
 Yourselves your raptures speak ! 
 Ye hold of His bestowing 
 
 The Spirit and the Word ; 
 With hearts and voices glowing 
 
 Make music to your Lord ! 
 
 Throw every power and passion 
 
 Into each song, each prayer ; 
 Bring a free, full oblation ! 
 
 Let all your strength be there ! 
 With utmost rapture greet Him, 
 
 Your inmost souls outpour ! 
 Spirit to Spirit meet Him ; 
 
 Within the veil adore ! 
 
 Thou openest, Lord ! we enter ; 
 
 Thou callest ; lo ! we come : 
 Within the veil we venture 
 
 And find our Lord at home. 
 Each a white garment weareth 
 
 Made white in Thine own blood : 
 Each a rich offering beareth, 
 
 A heart renewed by God. 
 
58 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thine own redeemed adore Thee, 
 Themselves Thy precious things 
 
 Thy people bow before Thee, 
 A race of priests and kings. 
 
 Here nigh to Thee we tarry ; 
 Here close we wait on Thee : 
 
 And when we go to glory, 
 
 'Twill be Thy face to see. 
 1867. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 THE SABBATH ON EARTH AND 
 IN HEAVEN. 
 
 WOULD not Thy people, Lord, 
 Each day in Thee be glad, 
 Each day with Thine own strength be stirred, 
 Each day in praise be clad ? 
 
 But are they now and here 
 Not clothed in their best ? 
 Yes, overflows not their full cheer 
 On the " sweet day of rest " ? 1 
 
 Doth not the Sabbath air 
 
 A strengthening fragrance bring ? 
 Amidst the general praise and prayer 
 Take not their souls strong wing ? 
 
 When souls together pray, 
 
 Hath not the prayer most might ? 
 When linked hearts His coming stay, 
 Comes not the King most bright ? 
 
 1 I trust that every one will be reminded here of Watts' lovely 
 Lord's Day Hymn, "Welcome, sweet day of rest." 
 
86 4 . 
 
 of Praise. 59 
 
 When gladsome voices join, 
 Is not the song most sweet ? 
 When glowing hearts their joy combine, 
 Is not the joy complete ? 
 
 Not yet : for who can speak 
 The sweetness of the song, 
 When "Glory to the Lamb!" shall break 
 From all the white-robed throng : 
 
 When all the heirs of grace 
 Their endless bliss shall blend, 
 And 'neath the shining of His face 
 The Eternal Sabbath spend ? 
 
 XLII. 
 
 UNSULLIED WORSHIP. 
 " Behold the Lamb of God." 
 
 HOW great the joy of bloodless rites, 
 
 Of worship without stain, 
 Of prayer and praise whereon alights 
 
 No spot from victim slain ! 
 
 Thy seekers, Lord, no more draw nigh 
 
 To altars dropping gore : 
 Unsullied prayers ascend on high, 
 
 Unsaddened songs upsoar. 
 
 No more in dealing strokes abhorred 
 
 Thy ministers have part ; 
 But sweetly wield the Spirit's sword 
 
 And wound the stubborn heart. 
 
60 The Golden Chain 
 
 Unblent with dying pains and cries 
 
 The sinner's cry ascends ; 
 No dreadful pomp of sacrifice 
 
 The thankful throng commends. 
 
 The grace each sinful suppliant wins, 
 Doth cost Thy house no stain ; 
 
 His darling lusts, his bosom-sins 
 The only victims slain. 
 
 The broken hearts Thy people bring, 
 
 To hearts renewed rise : 
 More costly grows the offering, 
 
 More sweet the sacrifice. 
 
 A lively offering they present, 
 A living flame they raise ; 
 
 With all they bring to Thee is blent 
 The sacrifice of praise. 
 
 O Lamb of God, whose bloodshedding 
 Such various grace hath wrought ! 
 
 This dear deliverance Thou didst bring ; 
 This bliss by Thee was brought. 
 
 The stroke that fell on Thee hath stayed 
 The stroke from bird and beast j 
 
 Thy self-oblation hath unmade 
 The altar and the priest. 
 
 To Thee we owe these happy rites. 
 This worship free and fair, 
 
 These manifold, unstained delights 
 Of linked praise and prayer. 
 
of Praise. 6l 
 
 As still we seek the Heavenly King 
 
 In fulness of access, 
 Through Thee we pray, through Thee we sing ! 
 
 The Lamb of God we bless. 
 S86. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 IXIVARD RELIGION. 
 
 FROM what a depth to what a height 
 Our fathers their full souls outpoured ! 
 
 How strong their wings, how long their flight, 
 Those soaring seekers of the Lord ! 
 
 How nigh they came to Thee ! how full 
 With Thee, Most High, was their abode ! 
 
 They found Thee in their inmost soul ; 
 They loved to be alone with God. 
 
 They sought Thee at the hour of prime, 
 They turned at sunrise to their Sun, 
 
 They stinted not their Lord for time, 
 But bade the Presence Bright shine on. 
 
 With Thee no loneliness they knew : 
 At home with their own Lord they felt ; 
 
 How close, how sweet the converse grew ! 
 What fulness in that Presence dwelt ! 
 
 That Presence Bright for us how dim ! 
 
 That sacred time how brief with us ! 
 We cannot stay alone with Him ; 
 
 We cannot hold communion thus. 
 
62 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ah ! not for our dull, shrinking gaze 
 Their vision of the Things Unseen ! 
 
 Enough for us the tapers' blaze, 
 The ritual pomp, the altar's sheen ! 
 
 The slightness of our souls' affairs 
 Slight conference with God requires ; 
 
 We mount on no Heaven-scaling prayers, 
 We breathe no infinite desires. 
 
 We know not how the Lord to seek, 
 But leave the priest that quest divine ; 
 
 Unused, unskilled with God to speak, 
 To him that glory we resign. 
 
 To us that glory, Lord, restore ! 
 
 Restrain this quest of Thee abroad ! 
 Uplift our souls again to soar 
 
 On their own wings to their own God. 
 
 Thou, whom our fathers found so nigh, 
 Into our inmost souls return ! 
 
 In us rebuild Thy sanctuary : 
 
 Within us beam ! within us burn ! 
 
 In us Thine own again show forth 
 The fulness of that Presence Bright, 
 
 The fulness of that inward mirth, 
 The fulness of that inward might ! 
 1887. 
 
of Praise. 63 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 REALITY IN WORSHIP. 
 "Let kfiowledge lead the song." 
 
 WATTS, PSALM XLVII. 
 
 THE prayers, the songs we bring Thee, Lord, 
 
 Do our hearts give them forth ? 
 The raptures by our lips outpoured, 
 
 Have they an inward birth ? 
 
 We would not heedless utterers be 
 
 Of longings not our own : 
 We would not idly sing to Thee 
 
 Of wants and joys unknown. 
 
 While clinging here we would not press 
 
 For instant heavenward flight, 
 Nor weariness of earth profess 
 
 When earth doth most delight. 
 
 As suffering saints we would not sing 
 
 While worldly weal doth last, 
 Nor full of body-cheer forth ring 
 
 The praise of Lenten fast. 
 
 May self-discerning souls ascend 
 
 On soul-revealing songs ! 
 May truth and life each strain commend 
 
 To heedful hearts and tongues ! 
 
 To us the wisdom from above, 
 
 Heart-searching God, impart! 
 Teach us the lore of Thine own love, 
 
 The lore of our own heart ! 
 
64 The Golden Chain 
 
 Reveal the grace we should desire, 
 
 The heights we may attain ! 
 Then bid enlightened souls aspire ! 
 Then prompt the aspiring strain ! 
 1891. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 PRAISE PERFECTED BY HOLINESS. 
 
 st. david's. 
 " My lips shall utter praise ', when Thou hast taught me 
 Thy statutes? 
 
 O ! WHEREFORE, Lord, doth Thy dear praise 
 
 But tremble on my tongue ? 
 Why lack my lips sweet skill to raise 
 
 A full, triumphant song ? 
 
 How can this heart divinely glow, 
 
 So ready to transgress ? 
 Thy broken law doth dull me so ; 
 
 My sins Thy praise oppress. 
 
 O make me, Lord, Thy statutes learn ! 
 
 Keep in Thy ways my feet ; 
 Then shall my lips divinely burn ; 
 
 Then shall my songs be sweet. 
 
 Each sin I cast away shall make 
 
 My soul more strong to soar ; 
 Each work I do for Thee shall wake 
 
 A strain divine the more. 
 
1 849. 
 
 of Praise. 65 
 
 My voice shall more delight Thine ear, 
 
 The more I wait on Thee : 
 Thy service bring my song more near 
 
 The angelic harmony. 
 
 O ! wherefore swells so sweet above 
 
 The everlasting hymn ? 
 Thy will they work, Thy law they love, 
 
 Those tuneful Seraphim ! 
 
 When, Lord, shall perfect holiness 
 
 Make this poor voice divine ? 
 And all harmonious Heaven confess 
 
 No sweeter song than mine ? 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 ANGELIC HELPERS. 
 
 ANGELS bright, in strength excelling, 
 On your Lord who dimly gaze, 
 
 Of His glory still be telling ! 
 
 Spend your strength upon His praise 
 
 Tuneful Angels ! 
 Sweetly sing your sweet amaze ! 
 
 In your own glad home, bright legions, 
 Joy ye give no less than take ; 
 
 How ye bless the blissful regions, 
 Fairer the fair mansions make ! 
 
 Gracious Angels ! 
 Works of grace ye ne'er forsake. 
 
66 The Golden Chain 
 
 Faint the glow of Fields Elysian 
 To the bliss wherein ye dwell : 
 
 Yours the Beatific Vision ! 
 Yours the Light Ineffable ! 
 
 Happy Angels ! 
 Who your myriad joys can tell ? 
 
 But to serve your Lord is sweetest ; 
 
 Your best joys those tasks of His ; 
 Bowing low, ye stand completest ; 
 
 Glorious bear His messages. 
 Lowly Angels ! 
 
 Thence your name and thence your bliss. 
 
 " Prime in splendour," prompt in duty, 1 
 Loftiest, lowliest lot ye blend ; 
 
 Girt with strength, arrayed in beauty, 
 On His errands glad ye wend. 
 
 Swift-winged Angels ! 
 On His people ye attend. 
 
 Earth allures the Heavenly Dwellers ; 
 
 Still ye link your life with ours : 
 Of glad tidings gladsome tellers, 
 
 May we win you from Heaven's bowers ? 
 Helpful Angels ! 
 
 May our needs employ your powers ? 
 
 Ye who to the Throne Eternal 
 
 Helpless little ones do bear j 
 Ye who 'midst the Bliss Supernal 
 
 For our weakest sweetly care : 
 Guardian Angels ! 
 
 Ye for us are strong and fair. 
 
 1 " Among the Prime in splendour." — Paradise Regained, b. 
 v. 413. 
 
of Praise. 6j 
 
 When the hosts of Hell assail us, 
 
 To our rescue ye descend ; 
 When our weak defences fail us, 
 
 Your diviner strength ye lend. 
 Guardian Angels 
 
 Of the strife make happy end. 
 
 Down ye bring the heavenly splendour 
 Where earth's thickest gloom appears : 
 
 Lighter and less sad ye render 
 Human woes and human fears j 
 
 Tearless Angels ! 
 Yet ye seek the Vale of Tears. 
 
 Never may ye weep j O ! never 
 
 Angel-hearts let sorrow in ; 
 Happy aye, since holy ever ; 
 
 Full of bliss, since void of sin ; 
 Holy Angels ! 
 
 May we e'er your pureness win ? 
 
 If perchance we faint and tremble 
 When our time draws near to die, 
 
 Angels, for our help assemble ! 
 Whisper sweetly of your sky. 
 
 Waiting Angels ! 
 Help our trembling souls on high ! 
 
 There the sweet stream of your pity 
 
 Falls into your sea of love ; 
 Ours the same Celestial City — 
 
 Ours the same bright thrones above ! 
 Fellow-Angels ! 
 
 Ours on errands like to move ; 
 
68 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ours to share your gracious splendour, 
 
 Ours to share your tasks divine ; 
 Ours angelic help to render, 
 Ours angelic songs to join. 
 
 Fellow- Angels ! 
 Ours to serve, to sing, to shine. 
 1849. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 ANGELIC LOWLINESS AND LOFTINESS. 
 
 OF Angels do we not divinely deem 
 
 All holiest, happiest, as most bright, most strong ? 
 Doth not all pureness in their splendour beam, 
 
 All sweetness, greatness to their name belong ? 
 
 With excellence angelic we commend 
 
 All human things most precious and most high, 
 
 Each loveliest face angelic beauty lend, 
 Each holiest soul angelic purity. 
 
 Yet, Angels bright, yet, Angels pure and fair, 
 To whom such might and majesty are given, 
 
 What rank, what office doth your name declare ? 
 What are you but the messengers of Heaven ? 
 
 That pettiest post, that humblest task of ours 
 
 Denotes the radiant People of the Sky : 
 " Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers," 1 
 
 This is your duty, this your dignity. 
 
 In bearing messages your wings ye prove ; 
 
 Not for yourselves ye journey ; ye are sent, 
 In man's behalf upon God's errands move, 
 
 For Him, for us divinely diligent. 
 
 1 Paradise Lost, x. 459. 
 
of Praise. 69 
 
 The lowliest, loftiest of all lives ye live, 
 The lowliest, loftiest of all names ye bear ; 
 
 Angelic help, angelic service give, 
 Angelic bliss, angelic glory share. 
 
 What beams ye wear ! what wondering love ye win ! 
 
 What winged thoughts your radiantl wings pursue ! 
 Yet we may here the angelic life begin, 
 
 God's messages may bear, His biddings do. 
 
 Shall we at last be perfected as ye, 
 
 Auxiliar Shining Ones, Obedient Powers ? 
 
 Will ours at length the angelic fulness be, 
 The service sweet, the blissful radiance ours ? 
 
 1894. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 THE CELESTIAL SEEKER. 
 
 " Qucerens aim nihil desit tibi." 
 " O Seeker, who lackest nothing" 
 
 AUGUSTINE. 
 
 AH ! mightily we weaklings crave : 
 Ah ! meetly may we sinners seek : 
 
 But, Lord of all, what wouldst Thou have ? 
 Wherein, Almighty, art Thou weak ? 
 
 Of glory Thou hast boundless store : 
 With bliss o'erflowing art Thou blest : 
 
 And yet Thou yearnest evermore ; 
 Yet makest Thou eternal quest. 
 
yo The Golden Chain 
 
 Father, whence these yearnings dear ? 
 
 What longings wouldst Thou fain fulfil? 
 What sought the Lord of Glory here ? 
 
 What seekest Thou, sweet Spirit, still ? 
 
 Thou lack'st no lustre, Lord of Light ; 
 
 But art Thou not the Lord of Love ? 
 Thou fain wouldst share the mansions bright ; 
 
 Thou fain wouldst fill Thy home above. 
 
 These mortal sins, these mortal tears 
 
 Almost the heavenly glory dim : 
 And earth's sad tones divide Thine ears 
 
 With harpings sweet of Seraphim. 
 
 Yes, Lord of Glory, Thou wouldst make 
 Love unto heirs of dust and sin ; 
 
 Thou wouldst Thy Kingly State forsake 
 And die such hearts as ours to win. 
 
 Yes, ever the sweet Spirit yearns ; 
 
 In gracious quest the Dove doth come : 
 Stay, sinful soul ! the Spirit mourns : 
 
 Mount ! His kind wings will bear thee home. 
 
 Strange Seeker Thou who nought dost want 
 Strange laggards we who all things need ! 
 
 Lend of Thyself, dear Lord, and grant 
 These slothful seekers better speed ! 
 1854. 
 
of Praise. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 THE HEAVENLY LOVER. 
 
 1 A mas nee tfstuas." 
 
 " Thou loves t, but with no tumultuous love." 
 
 AUGUSTINE. 
 
 ALAS ! with troubled tenderness 
 
 We mortal lovers yearn : 
 The more of love our hearts possess 
 
 The more we pant and mourn. 
 
 Its sweetest hour a sadness keeps : 
 
 The rapture bringeth pain : 
 Our deeps of love are stormy deeps : 
 
 We plunge for peace in vain. 
 
 But O ! no pang, no ecstasy 
 
 The Heavenly Lover knows : 
 In Love's own fire abideth He : 
 
 Yet He serenely glows. 
 
 Thou yearnest, Lord, our souls to bless ; 
 
 Yet ne'er Thy bliss doth cease ; 
 O fulness of Thy tenderness : 
 
 O fulness of Thy peace ! 
 
 What endless stillness doth it keep, 
 
 That endless love of Thine ! 
 How wondrous calm, how wondrous deep 
 
 Flows on the stream divine ! 
 

 72 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ah, Lord ! must love with us remain 
 
 So stormy and so brief, 
 So sadly sweet, so blind and vain, 
 
 So mixed with fear and grief? 
 
 Shall our wild, fleeting love ne'er grow 
 More like, dear Lord, to Thine, 
 
 Nor learn the even, endless flow 
 Of holy Love Divine ? 
 
 When, Heavenly Lover, shall we learn 
 This sweet, strange lore of Thee, 
 
 Still with the flame of love to burn 
 And still at peace to be ? 
 1S56. 
 
 DIVINE LOVE. 
 " Not that we loved Hi7?i, but that He loved us." 
 
 O ! NOT upon our waiting eyes, 
 Lord, did the heavenly lustre break ; 
 
 Not to our love's beseeching cries 
 Did Love Divine slow answer make. 
 
 We made no haste to seek Thy face ; 
 
 Thy angels found no listening ear ; 
 We did not urge Thy lingering grace 
 
 Nor win Thy distant glory near. 
 
 O no ! Thy voice was first to speak, 
 Thy glory, Lord, was swift to come ; 
 
 Thy love made gracious haste to seek 
 And sweetly urge the wanderers home. 
 
of Praise. 73 
 
 The Heavenly Glory would descend 
 Ere angel-wings to us were given ; 
 
 And Love Divine would earthward bend 
 To make our souls in love with Heaven. 
 
 O ! if with holy fire we burn, 
 
 Tis from the flame celestial caught j 
 
 Yes ! heavenward now we sometimes yearn 
 
 Since Heaven our souls so sweetly sought. 
 1849. 
 
 LI. 
 
 THE DEBT OF LOVE. 
 11 If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." 
 
 AND didst Thou, Lord, our sorrows take ? 
 
 And didst Thou, Lord, our burdens bear ? 
 Didst Thou for love of us forsake 
 
 Those glorious heights, that heavenly air ? 
 
 O ! could our weakness move Thy might ? 
 
 Our misery make us sought of Thee ? 
 Our gloom allure Thy glory bright ? 
 
 Our sins win down Thy purity ? 
 
 Were these our charms ? was this Thy love ? 
 
 Was this our prevalence of prayer ? 
 Was it in Sin and Dust to move 
 
 This love divine, this heavenly care ? 
 
 O ! then shall dust 'gain't dust wax proud ? 
 
 Shall sin be fiercely wroth with sin ? 
 Must frailty never be allowed 
 
 Of fellow-frailty grace to win ? 
 
74 The Golden Chain 
 
 We who so tenderly were sought, 
 Shall we not joyful seekers be, 
 
 And to Thy feet divinely brought, 
 
 Help weaker souls, dear Lord, to Thee ? 
 
 Celestial Seeker ! send us forth ! 
 
 Almighty Lover ! teach us love ! 
 When shall we yearn to help our Earth 
 
 As yearned the Holy One above ? 
 1849. 
 
 LII. 
 
 TRANSCENDENT LOVE. 
 " To know the love of Christ that pas seth knowledge?' 
 
 O LOVE Divine that passeth thought ! 
 
 Yet on that love our thoughts would dwell : 
 O Grace our strains that maketh nought ! 
 
 Yet o'er that grace our songs would swell. 
 
 For us the Lord forsook that throne ; 
 
 For us the Sinless bore that cross ; 
 O most sublime when most our own ! 
 
 O sweetest when most marvellous ! 
 
 Those deeps of grace, our thoughts that drown, 
 Yet make our sure abiding-place ; 
 
 Strange glory that our minds bows down ! 
 Sweet portion that our souls embrace ! 
 
 The more of His dear love we learn, 
 We feel it more all thought excel ; 
 
 The more His glory we discern, 
 More glorious grows Emmanuel. 
 
i855- 
 
 of Praise. 75 
 
 Joy, joy, that we may ne'er explore 
 His height, His depth, His all of love ! 
 
 full our feast for evermore, — 
 Our task, our song below, above ! 
 
 Blest lore we ne'er may wholly learn ! 
 
 Sweet tale we ne'er may meetly tell ! 
 For ever our rapt souls shall yearn ; 
 
 For ever our glad songs shall swell. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 "KISS THE SON." 
 
 BEHOLD the Everlasting Son, 
 The Father's Darling and Delight j 
 
 Behold Him on His heavenly throne 
 Above the brightest angel bright ! 
 
 Behold how Heaven on Earth doth shine ; 
 
 Behold how God with man doth dwell ; 
 Behold our own that Son Divine, 
 
 Our Brother, our Emmanuel ! 
 
 Behold Him in our flesh arrayed j 
 Behold Him stricken in our stead ; 
 
 Behold our sins upon Him laid : 
 Behold Him in our darksome bed ! 
 
 Behold Him in His home above, 
 Back to His Father's bosom borne, 
 
 Our Intercessor full of love, 
 
 Who still for sinful souls doth yearn ! 
 
y6 The Golden Chain 
 
 O sinful souls, draw near and gaze ; 
 
 Gaze and adore, behold, be won ! 
 With lowly love, with sweet amaze 
 
 Embrace your Saviour in the Son. 
 
 Not from those arms outstretched turn, 
 Nor bid that yearning heart remove ; 
 
 O ! think not of His beauty scorn 
 Nor turn to wrath His tender love. 
 
 Still to the Son more closely cling : 
 Still in His grace more dearly grow ; 
 
 Till to His home your love ye bring, 
 Till in that home His love ye know : 
 
 Till eyes of full delight ye raise 
 To the full glory of His face, 
 
 For ever that enamoured gaze, 
 For ever that untired embrace ! 
 1863. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 " Lord, io whom shall we go ? " 
 
 SAVIOUR ! needs the world no longer 
 To rejoice beneath Thy light? 
 
 Have we lovers sweeter, stronger ? 
 Beams for us a sun more bright ? 
 
 Are we weary 
 Of Thy mercy and Thy might ? 
 
 1 
 
of Praise. J J 
 
 Mighty Lord so high above us ! 
 
 Loving brother all our own ! 
 Who will help us, who will love us, 
 
 Like to Thee who all hast known — 
 Who hast proved 
 
 Darksome grave and heavenly throne ? 
 
 Who so gentle to the sinners 
 
 As the soul that never fell ? 
 Who so strong to make us winners 
 
 Of the height He won so well ? 
 Alway Victor ! 
 
 Make Thine own invincible ! 
 
 From the Cross hath gone the glory ? 
 
 Seems it less divinely borne ? 
 Sweetest day of man's sad story 
 
 Shineth not that Rising Morn ? 
 Heavenly Dweller ! 
 
 Leave ! O leave not Earth forlorn ! 
 
 Unarrayed in Thy divineness, 
 
 Souls and worlds are incomplete ; 
 Spirits bright put on their fineness 
 
 Sitting lowly at Thy feet ; 
 O our Glory ! 
 
 Groweth not Thy smile more sweet ? 
 
 Yesterday doth tribute render 
 
 To the brightness of Thy sway ; 
 O ! the holy, happy splendour 
 
 That Thou pourest on to-day ! 
 Must it vanish ? 
 
 Hast Thou given Thine all away ? 
 
78 The Golden Chain 
 
 Endless Lover ! never, never 
 
 Wilt Thou cease to save and shine ; 
 Yesterday, To-day, For Ever, 
 All the ages, Lord, are Thine ! 
 
 Come and bless them — 
 Come and make them more divine. 
 1847. 
 
 LV. 
 
 OUR DOUBLE KINDRED TO EMMANUEL. 
 
 "The second man was the Lord from Heaven" 
 
 "As we have borne the image of the earthly \ we shall also 
 bear the image of the Heavenly" 
 
 O ! MEAN may seem this house of clay, 
 
 Yet 'twas the Lord's abode j 
 Our feet may mourn this thorny way, 
 
 Yet here Emmanuel trod. 
 
 This fleshly robe the Lord did wear ; 
 
 This watch the Lord did keep ; 
 These burdens sore the Lord did bear j 
 
 These tears the Lord did weep. 
 
 This world the Master overcame, 
 
 This death the Lord did die ; 
 He bore our sins, He took our shame, 
 
 In our dark bed did lie. 
 
 O vale of tears no longer sad, 
 
 Wherein the Lord did dwell ! 
 O happy robe of flesh that clad 
 
 Our own Emmanuel ! 
 
of Praise. 79 
 
 1850. 
 
 Our very frailty brings us near 
 Unto the Lord of Heaven ; 
 
 To every grief, to every tear 
 Such glory strange is given. 
 
 But not this fleshly robe alone 
 Shall link us, Lord, to Thee ; 
 
 Not only in the tear and groan 
 Shall the dear kindred be. 
 
 Our own will be Thy Life Divine, 
 Thine image we shall bear ; 
 
 With Thine own glory we shall shine, 
 In Thine own bliss shall share. 
 
 Thou to our woe who down did'st come, 
 Who one with us would'st be, 
 
 Wilt lift us to Thy heavenly home, 
 Wilt make us one with Thee. 
 
 O mighty grace, our life to live, 
 To make our earth divine ! 
 
 O mighty grace, Thy heaven to give, 
 And lift our life to Thine ! 
 
 Yes, strange the gifts and marvellous 
 By Thee received and given ! 
 
 Thou tookest woe and death for us, 
 Thou givest us Thy Heaven. 
 
80 The Golden Chain 
 
 LVI. 
 
 THE EXCHANGE OF PLACES. 
 
 " He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that 
 we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 
 
 O MYSTERY of Love Divine 
 
 That thought and thanks o'erpowers ! 
 Lord Jesus ! was our portion Thine, 
 And is Thy portion ours ? 
 
 Emmanuel ! did'st Thou take our place 
 
 To set us in Thine own ? 
 Did'st Thou our low estate embrace 
 
 To lift us to Thy throne ? 
 
 Did'st Thou fulfil each righteous deed, 
 
 God's perfect will express, 
 That we the unfaithful ones might plead 
 
 Thy perfect faithfulness ? 
 
 Did'st Thou endure the desert drear 
 
 And know the Tempter's wile, 
 That we might taste the heavenly cheer 
 
 And win the Father's smile ? 
 
 On Thy pure soul did dread and gloom 
 
 In that drear garden rise ? 
 Are ours the brightness and the bloom 
 
 Of Thine own Paradise ? 
 
 Were utmost shame and wrath outpoured 
 
 Upon Thy holy head ? 
 Are crowns of heavenly glory stored 
 
 For us Thy ransomed ? 
 
1864. 
 
 of Praise. 
 
 For Thee the Father's hidden face ? 
 
 For Thee the bitter cry ? 
 For us the Father's endless grace, 
 
 The song of victory ? 
 
 Did'st Thou expire upon the tree 
 
 And sojourn in the tomb 
 That endless life our lot might be, 
 
 And everlasting bloom ? 
 
 Our load of sin and misery 
 Did'st Thou the Sinless bear? 
 
 Thy spotless robe of purity 
 Do we the sinners wear ? 
 
 Lord Jesus ! is it even so ? 
 
 Have we been loved thus ? 
 What love can we on Thee bestow 
 
 Who hast exchanged with us ? 
 
 Thou, who our very place did'st take, 
 
 Dwell in our very heart ! 
 Thou, who Thy portion ours dost make, 
 
 Thyself, Thyself impart ! 
 
 LVII. 
 
 THE UNITY OF CHRIST AND HIS PEOPLE. 
 
 LORD ! in Thy people dost Thou dwell, 
 
 And do they dwell in Thee ? 
 O blessedness unspeakable ! 
 
 O wondrous unity ! 
 
 6 
 
82 The Golden Chain 
 
 One with Thee, all Thy life they know, 
 And all Thou hast possess ; 
 
 In Thee they underwent all woe 
 And wrought all righteousness. 
 
 In Thee the world they vanquished, 
 
 The Tempter they defied ; 
 Upon Thy cross they suffered 
 
 And in Thy death they died. 
 
 When Thou wast stricken, on them fell 
 The wrath, the woe, the shame ; 
 
 When Thou o'ercamest death and hell, 
 In Thee they overcame. 
 
 They rose upon Thy rising day, 
 With Thee to Heaven did soar ; 
 
 Thou livest evermore, and they 
 Shall live for evermore. 
 
 One with them still Thou walkest here 
 And all their life dost know ; 
 
 When they are glad Thou makest cheer ; 
 Thou weepest in their woe. 
 
 When from the world they suffer wrong, 
 'Gainst Thee the wrong is done ; 
 
 When strength and joy to them belong, 
 By Thee the praise is won. 
 
 When Satan tempts Thy people sore, 
 
 Again he tempteth Thee : 
 And when he flees from them, once more 
 
 Thou makest him to flee. 
 
1864. 
 
 of Praise. 83 
 
 In every gift and grace of theirs 
 
 Thy beauty, Lord, doth shine; 
 Their faithfulness Thine own declares ; 
 
 Their righteousness is Thine. 
 
 When Thou for judgment shalt appear, 
 
 They shall appear with Thee ; 
 When all the world its doom shall hear, 
 
 Thy voice their voice shall be. 
 
 When Thou Thy kingdom shalt obtain 
 
 And put Thy glory on, 
 Thine endless reign shall be their reign j 
 
 The King and they are one. 
 
 Lord Jesus ! grant me all this grace ! 
 
 Abide, be one with me ; 
 Give me to dwell in Thine embrace, 
 
 For ever one with Thee ! 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 MOST LOFTY AND MOST LOWLY. 
 
 REJOICE in your king, ye people of God, 
 So humble, so high, so mighty, so meek : 
 Rejoice in Heaven's glory that sought an abode 
 Where Life was most lowly, where Earth was most weak. 
 
 Rejoice in the King by rulers disowned ! 
 The Victor salute who won through all loss ! 
 King of kings, Lord of lords, behold Him enthroned 
 Who lay in the manger, who died on the Cross ! 
 
84 The Golden Chain 
 
 For all hath He lived, for all hath He died j 
 But yours was His lot, ye lowly and meek : 
 To you He belonged, with you would abide ; 
 In you He delighted, of you praise did speak ! 
 
 Ye thronged His court, ye furnished His train ; 
 His servants from you, His champions He chose ; 
 Ye fought 'neath His banner, ye wrought for His reign : 
 In 1 priests and in princes ye vanquished His foes. 
 
 Now princes adore, now priests set Him forth : 
 But yours is He most, but yours is He still : 
 The dwelling in Heaven, the stooping to earth 
 His glory compose, your advancement fulfil. 
 
 Repeat the glad news by Angels first told ! 
 Repeat the glad news to shepherds first brought ! 
 From singers how glorious Heaven's music forth rolled ! 
 How lowly the listeners Heaven's music that caught ! 
 
 His height, His descent exult to unfold — 
 Ring forth the delight, the awe of His name ! 
 King of kings, Lord of lords, your Brother behold ! 
 King of kings, Lord of lords, your Saviour proclaim ! 
 Christmas, 1890. 
 
 LIX. 
 
 THE BITTER-SWEET CROSS. 
 
 " With His stripes we are healed" 
 
 THOU, who didst suffer and didst save, 
 Thou, who didst die and didst redeem, 
 
 Attendant tears Thy sorrows crave ; 
 Triumphant smiles Thy grace beseem. 
 
of Praise. 85 
 
 Grief, joy together make abode j 
 Our sighs, our songs together rise : 
 
 Alas ! Thou bleedest, Lamb of God j 
 But O ! we bless our sacrifice. 
 
 We mourn Thy. cross, so dread, so drear, 
 
 But in our refuge-place delight ; 
 We weep beside Thy sepulchre : 
 
 But O ! our treasure-house how bright ! 
 
 Ah loathed sins the Lord that smote ! 
 
 Ah gifts that cost the Lord so dear ! 
 What joy to be divinely sought ! 
 
 What glory to be brought so near ! 
 
 Woe, woe that Thou wast wounded sore ! 
 
 Joy, joy that we are healed quite ! 
 That sacred blood runs dreadly o'er ; 
 
 How glorious gleam our garments white ! 
 
 O Man of Sorrows, Lord of Love, 
 To Thee our grief, our joy belongs ; 
 
 Thy cross our saddest tears doth move ; 
 Thy cross doth win our sweetest songs. 
 1844. 
 
 LX. 
 
 " He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall 
 satisfied." 
 
 DEAR Lord ! Thou art not sorry 
 That Thou didst bear our load : 
 
 The shame hath brought Thee glory : 
 The woe hath joy bestowed. 
 
86 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thy travail sore forth bringeth 
 A people for Thy praise : 
 
 A people from Thee springeth 
 And maketh glad Thy gaze. 
 
 From every tongue and nation 
 
 Thou countest up Thy gain, 
 Rich fruit of Thine oblation, 
 
 Dear purchase of Thy pain. 
 Still souls Thou welcome makest 
 
 Born of Thy travail sore ; 
 And still new spoil Thou takest 
 
 And still Thy joy is more. 
 
 Thy people who can reckon ? 
 
 Thy glory who can tell ? 
 For each Thou wast sore stricken 
 
 Thy triumph each doth swell. 
 As each more holy groweth, 
 
 Thou of Thy pain doth see ; 
 In each Thy sorrow showeth 
 
 More sweet eternally. 
 
 Shall I no sweetness borrow, 
 
 Lord, from Thy bitter bowl ? 
 Wilt Thou not of Thy sorrow 
 
 See in this sinful soul ? 
 Wilt Thou be glad and glorious 
 
 And have no joy in me ? 
 Wilt Thou march on victorious 
 
 Nor my dear Conqueror be ? 
 
 Lord ! let my new creation 
 Thy bitter pains requite ; 
 
 Lord ! let my full salvation 
 Thy yearning love delight. 
 
of Praise. 87 
 
 Amidst the throng supernal, 
 
 Redeemer, smile on me, 
 And in my bliss eternal 
 
 Of Thy sore travail see. 
 
 1866. 
 
 LXI. 
 
 EASTER SUNDAY. 
 
 Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed." 
 
 NOT ours to breathe that early air, 
 Not ours that fragrant store to bring, 
 
 And at the open sepulchre 
 
 To find the angel's radiant wing. 
 
 Not ours sad Mary's tears to weep 
 O'er the stolen treasure of that grave ; 
 
 Not ours that mournful watch to keep — 
 Not ours that vanished form to crave. 
 
 Not for our eyes the vision bright 
 Of that dear form beheld once more ; 
 
 Those tones our ears may not delight, 
 Nor hands of ours those wounds explore. 
 
 Yet shineth full on our glad eyes 
 The lustre of that wondrous morn : 
 
 For us the Lord of life doth rise ; 
 Our Lord, our Lover is new-born. 
 
 Yes, ours the gain without the loss ! 
 
 The glory ours without the gloom ! 
 Nought but our refuge-place that Cross — 
 
 Nought but our treasure-house that Tomb. 
 
88 The Golden Chain 
 
 The grief that streamed from Mary's eyes 
 Our settled spirits may not move ; 
 
 Yet with her joy our gladness vies 
 To greet the Master whom we love. 
 
 We meet, no fearful throng by night ; 
 
 We dread no tidings dolorous ; 
 Yet shines 'midst us the Saviour bright, 
 
 Yet speaketh He sweet peace to us. 
 
 No lips of ours the news gainsay, 
 No witness do our hands require ; 
 
 O sure and sweet the hold we lay 
 Upon the Lord of our desire ! 
 
 We envy not the eyes that saw, 
 
 Since God hath given our souls to see ; 
 
 O souls thrice-blessed, that could draw 
 Thy latest blessing, Lord, from Thee ! 
 
 We sweetly store those words divine, 
 And lowly wait and trustful love, 
 
 Till bright on us Thy face shall shine, 
 And ours shall be Thy smile above. 
 
 1843- 
 
 LXII. 
 
 11 I am the Resurrection and the Life? 
 
 DOTH the Heavenly Country seem 
 For our darkened souls too bright ? 
 
 Faintly doth the glory gleam 
 On our sin-beclouded sight ? 
 
 Do we at sad distance stand 
 
 From the sweet Celestial Land ? 
 
1846. 
 
 of Praise. 89 
 
 Saviour, take away our sin ! 
 
 Saviour, bid our darkness flee ! 
 Let the Heavenly Glory in — 
 
 Bring the Better Land with Thee ! 
 Full upon our longing eyes 
 Bid the Realms of Light arise ! 
 
 When we feel Thy quickening power 
 
 Then we know we shall not die ; 
 With the glory of that hour 
 
 Opens our eternity. 
 Then we hail that empty tomb, 
 Then we greet that fadeless bloom. 
 
 Thou hast risen : Thine own must rise ! 
 
 Thou art Light : Thine own must shine ! 
 Nevermore the Saviour dies ; 
 
 Ours must be the Life Divine ! 
 Where Thou art, Thine own must be : 
 Still Thy saints partake with Thee. 
 
 LXIII. 
 
 SWEET SURPRISES. 
 
 (Easter Sunday.) 
 
 THEY sought Thy tomb, Thou Saviour sweet, 
 Those early seekers true and sad ; 
 
 But Thou, their Living Lord, did'st meet 
 And make Thy mourning lovers glad. 
 
 The friends as on their way they went 
 With troubled faces, talked of Thee ; 
 
 When Thou did'st suddenly present 
 Thy comfort and Thy company. 
 
90 The Golden Chain 
 
 They met in fear, they met by night, 
 
 Those shrinking servants, Lord, of Thine ; 
 
 When sudden shone Thy presence bright 
 And sounded sweet Thy Voice Divine. 
 
 Thou who thus sweetly did'st surprise, 
 Dost Thou not still Thy seekers bless, 
 
 And still to loving weeping eyes 
 Appear in sudden gloriousness ? 
 
 Dost Thou not in their sorest need 
 Thy fainting servants still renew ? 
 
 And still their dearest hope exceed 
 And still their best desire outdo ? 
 
 To us Thy tremblers, Lord, appear ; 
 
 With us Thy weary pilgrims walk ! 
 Delight our banquets with Thy cheer 
 
 And lift to heights divine our talk ! 
 
 On us in sudden brightness break, 
 For us repeat each sweet surprise ; 
 
 Our hearts will burn when Thou dost speak, 
 Our earth-bound souls with Thee will rise. 
 1865. 
 
 LXIV. 
 
 SPRING-TIME AND EASTER-TIDE. 
 
 DID not Thy rising, Saviour sweet, 
 Bring gladsome Spring more cheer ? 
 
 Did not Thine own new life repeat 
 The new life of the year ? 
 
of Praise. 91 
 
 That garden fair, those angels bright, 
 
 That stone just rolled away, 
 Took sweetness from the dawning light 
 
 Of that blest vernal day. 
 
 How gladly the renewed earth 
 
 Greeted her risen Lord ! 
 What vernal bloom, what vernal mirth 
 
 O'er all His path were poured ! 
 
 Spring breathed around as on their walk 
 He met the mourning Twain, 
 
 And blent her music with the talk 
 That made them glad again. 
 
 Spring smiled on field, on glade, on grove 
 
 By the familiar Lake, 
 When with those three demands of love 
 
 To Simon's heart He spake. 
 
 Spring full about that hill did glow 
 Wherefrom He soared to Heaven 
 
 His latest look on things below 
 To vernal earth was given. 
 
 Still beams on us that smile divine 
 
 As smiling Spring we greet ; 
 Dear Lord ! those lingering steps of Thine 
 
 Make vernal earth more sweet. 
 
92 The Golden Chain 
 
 The happy birds their voices lend 
 To help our joy in Thee : 
 
 How well the early flowers commend 
 Thy name's full fragrancy ! 
 
 As Nature bursts her tomb we sing 
 
 Thy triumph over death \ 
 And nurse the immortal hope as Spring 
 
 Breathes her glad, quickening breath. 
 
 From Earth renewed we ascend 
 
 To our uprisen King j 
 And all the joy of Easter blend 
 
 With all the joy of Spring. 
 
 1881. 
 
 LXV. 
 
 JOY IN THE ASCENDED SAVIOUR. 
 " // is expedient for you that I go away. ' 
 
 TO glory back Thou goest, 
 
 Who down to woe did'st come ; 
 Again the joy Thou knowest 
 
 Of Thy celestial home. 
 O Son of God, not spared 
 
 By Thine own Sire Divine, 
 Again His throne is shared, 
 
 Again His bliss is Thine. 
 
 Dear Lord ! Thy people borrow 
 Their glory from Thy shame : 
 
 Because of Thy sharp sorrow 
 Eternal joy we claim. 
 
1867. 
 
 of Praise, 93 
 
 Thy bitter cross -and passion 
 
 We needs must dearly greet : 
 Thy one complete oblation 
 
 Must needs be wondrous sweet. 
 
 But, Saviour, shall Thy sadness 
 
 Alone our songs employ ? 
 Thy glory and Thy gladness, 
 
 Shall they not bring us joy ? 
 Shall we not triumph meetly 
 
 With our triumphant King ; 
 Thy sweetness welcome sweetly, 
 
 Thy bliss enraptured sing? 
 
 For us Thou earnest hither ; 
 
 Our load Thou here did'st bear 
 For us Thou wentest thither, 
 
 For us Thou reignest there. 
 Yet for Thine exaltation 
 
 Would we in praise be clad j 
 To Thee we sing " Salvation ; " 
 
 Thy glory makes us glad. 
 
 Shall we not, Lord ascended, 
 
 One day to Thee ascend ? 
 Will not our bliss be blended 
 
 With Thine that hath no end ? 
 For ever and for ever 
 
 We shall Thy glory see ; 
 For ever and for ever 
 
 We shall be glad with Thee. 
 
94 The Golden Chain 
 
 LXVI. 
 
 THE THREEFOLD FEAST 
 
 " As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye show 
 forth the Lord's death till He come" 
 
 TELL of your Redeemer's passion, 
 Ye who feel His banquet sweet : 
 
 Triumph in His one oblation, 
 In His sacrifice complete ! 
 
 Of your Saviour mindful be ; 
 
 Keep the Feast of Memory ! 
 
 At the banquet He provideth 
 To the Eternal Priest draw near ; 
 
 Tell how sweetly He abideth 
 In the souls He held so dear : 
 
 With your living Lord be one, 
 
 Keep the Feast of Union ! 
 
 Keep the feast with gladsome yearning 
 
 For your King to come again ; 
 Tell the world He is returning ! 
 
 Tell how glorious He will reign ! 
 Lift each eye and lift each voice, 
 At the Feast of Hope rejoice ! 
 
 Gladsome render this dear duty 
 To the Bridegroom tarrying yet, 
 
 Till He come in all His beauty, 
 Till the marriage-feast be set, 
 
 Till your eyes behold His face, 
 
 Till ye rest in His embrace ! 
 1862. 
 
of Praise. 95 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 THE LORD'S TABLE. 
 
 WE bow before no altar j 
 
 Before no priest we bend : 
 No souls that faint and falter, 
 
 No shrinking eyes we lend : 
 We watch no transformation 
 
 By fellow-weakling wrought ; 
 We wait no consecration 
 
 By fellow-sinner brought. 
 
 We sit around a table, 
 
 We banquet at a board 
 With guests innumerable 
 
 Invited by one Lord. 
 The bidding sweet Love speaketh 
 
 In thankful ears glad sounds j 
 Love the blest banquet seeketh 
 
 And Love the board surrounds. 
 
 The bread, the wine round goeth ; 
 
 What gladsome guests are there ! 
 What cheer the feast bestoweth ! 
 
 What grace the signs declare ! 
 The fulness of each token 
 
 Love sweetly wondering learns ; 
 Beholds that body broken, 
 
 That precious blood discerns. 
 
 But not alone with gladness 
 These grateful guests o'erflow ; 
 
 Alas, dear Lord, Thy sadness, 
 Thy deeps of love and woe ! 
 
g6 The Golden Chain 
 
 The bread that vigour lendeth, 
 The wine that bringeth cheer, 
 
 Thy stricken soul commendeth, 
 Declares Thy darkness drear. 
 
 Our great Redeemer woos us 
 
 To a triumphant strain : 
 That dumb, meek Lamb subdues us 
 
 And melts our hearts again. 
 Now rapture and now sadness 
 
 Each tender soul doth steep ; 
 Love gloweth now with gladness, 
 
 Now wondering tears doth weep. 
 
 Thy guests may not be able 
 
 Unmingled cheer to make ; 
 Yet they surround a table, 
 
 Yet of a feast partake. 
 The joy exceeds the sorrow, 
 
 The song o'erpowers the sigh ; 
 While Hope new life doth borrow 
 
 From tender Memory. 
 1881. 
 
 LXVIII. 
 
 THE LORD'S SUPPER. 
 
 " When the even was come, He sat down with the twelve" 
 
 DOTH not the soul with most delight 
 Her Lord an evening visit pay ? 
 Doth not sweet even-tide invite 
 Her close approach, her longest stay ? 
 
of Praise. 97 
 
 Vet hast Thou not new sweetness shed, 
 Redeemer, on this season sweet? 
 Was not that board at evening spread ? 
 Did not those guests at evening meet ? 
 
 At even-tide those hands of Thine 
 The blessed bread and wine bestowed : 
 At even-tide those lips divine 
 In sweet, sublime discourse o'erflowed. 
 
 Was not the feast at eve ordained ? 
 Was not a sacred Supper set ? 
 Should not the Supper be maintained ? 
 Why should Thy guests Thy time forget ? 
 
 Should not Thy people feel it sweet 
 With Thee in all things to abide ; 
 Thy banquet and Thy hour repeat ; 
 Yes, sup with Thee at even-tide ? 
 
 Doth not the sameness of the hour 
 The sweetness of the feast augment ? 
 Is not a more prevailing power 
 Unto the sacred Supper lent ? 
 
 Do not our hearts more deeply yearn, 
 More sweetly mingle song and sigh, 
 More tenderly their Lord discern, 
 By link of evening brought more nigh ? 
 
 Thy people would draw near their Lord, 
 With Thee in all things would abide : 
 What joy to sit beside Thy board 
 As Thou didst sit at even-tide ! 
 
 [881. 
 
98 The Golden Chain 
 
 LXIX. 
 
 THE SYMBOLICAL SUPPER. 
 
 NO gazers dazed, no tremblers faint 
 We meet around Thy board ; 
 
 Each glowing guest, each happy saint 
 Brings Thee his fulness, Lord. 
 
 Our loftiest powers we here employ, 
 Our noblest passions blend ; 
 
 Our kindled souls the feast enjoy ; 
 Our thoughts the feast commend. 
 
 Lo ! Faith and Reason meet and kiss 
 At Memory's blessed board : 
 
 How blest their sway ! how full our bliss ! 
 How mind and heart accord ! 
 
 The signs, how simple and how sweet ! 
 
 Their lore how plain, how full ! 
 What lively help, what service meet 
 
 The senses lend the soul ! 
 
 How sweetly doth this broken bread, 
 This wine outpoured forth tell 
 
 That body broken, that blood shed, 
 That love unspeakable ! 
 
 And as Thy guests hereof partake, 
 What cheer their spirits prove ! 
 
 How rich a banquet Faith doth make ! 
 How full a feast hath Love ! 
 
 
of Praise. 99 
 
 They may not life on souls confer, 
 
 This unchanged wine and bread ; 
 The love they speak, the thought they stir 
 
 Whereby our souls are fed. 
 
 No prostrate minds are hither brought ; 
 
 No prostrate forms we lend : 
 The fulness of uplifted thought, 
 
 Of deepened love we blend. 
 
 The signs, the substance we discern, 
 
 And learn their heavenly lore : 
 As Memory bids, we sweetly yearn ; 
 
 As Hope, we strongly soar. 
 1890-3. 
 
 LXX. 
 
 THE SERVICE OF MEMORY. 
 "Do this in remembrance of Me. v 
 
 MINE own Redeemer ! dost Thou ask 
 
 This heart to dwell on Thee ? 
 Hast Thou bequeathed a gracious task 
 
 To this glad memory ? 
 
 Wouldst Thou Thy preciousness commend 
 
 Unto this dwelling-place, 
 And with its various treasures blend 
 
 The treasure of Thy grace ? 
 
 Yes, Saviour, in its deepest deep 
 
 Thou shalt be sweetly stored ; 
 Its noblest mansion will I keep 
 
 To entertain my Lord. 
 
100 The Golden Chain 
 
 I eat the bread, I drink the wine ; 
 
 My heart is full of Thee j 
 Joyful I keep Thy feast divine, 
 
 The feast of Memory. 
 
 But not alone on Thy sweet day, 
 Or round Thy blessed board, 
 
 Doth Memory her glad service pay, 
 And linger o'er her Lord. 
 
 Each day she welcomes her high Guest, 
 
 Each day on Thee attends j 
 Her lowliest task, her loftiest quest 
 
 With thoughts of Thee she blends. 
 
 She gathers all her shining stores 
 To lay them at Thy feet ; 
 
 And as the ages she explores 
 She still her Lord doth greet. 
 
 How dutiful this ministrant ! 
 
 How sweet her service here ! 
 But there her help I shall not want 
 
 To bring the Saviour near. 
 
 Will not the glory of Thy face 
 
 Mine endless banquet be, 
 And blissful vision take the place 
 Of happy Memory ? 
 1870. 
 
 
of Praise. ioi 
 
 LXXI. 
 
 THE ELDER BROTHER. 
 " The First Born among many brethren." 
 
 O THOU, the Father's only Son, 
 Art Thou indeed the First Born too ? 
 
 Thou partner of the eternal throne, 
 Hast Thou with earthly ties to do ? 
 
 Dost Thou, bright Lord of angels bright, 
 Count up Thy spreading kindred here ? 
 
 Celestial King ! dost Thou delight 
 Here in Thy many brethren dear ? 
 
 Yes, Ford, our brother sure Thou art, 
 
 We know Thee of our very kin ; 
 We know Thee by that wounded heart, 
 
 That robe of flesh, that load of sin. 
 
 And dost Thou not Thy brethren know 
 By each dear gift and grace of Thine ? 
 
 Thine image dost Thou not bestow, 
 That peace past thought, that love divine ? 
 
 Are we such brethren, First Born Son ? 
 
 May we be sharers, Lord, with Thee ? 
 O ! then Thy Father is our own ; 
 
 The Father loveth us in Thee. 
 
 Thy robes we wear, Thy rights we claim, 
 We walk Thy ways, we share Thy grace : 
 
 We name the Elder Brother's name 
 And feel the Father's dear embrace. 
 
102 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thy brethren meet with cares and woes, 
 Yet in the First Born still are blest : 
 
 We faint, our weakness to repose 
 Upon the Elder Brother's breast. 
 
 Oft, oft the younger brethren stray : 
 But not in vain the First Born pleads : 
 
 Again we walk the heavenly way 
 
 And follow where the First Born leads. 
 
 Too brightly shine those angels bright ? 
 
 Ah ! strangely fair those heavenly bowers ? 
 Eternal Father ! beams Thy light 
 
 Too glorious for these eyes of ours ? 
 
 The Elder Brother meets us there ; 
 
 We needs must feel at home with Him ; 
 At home amidst the Mansions Fair, 
 
 At home amidst the Seraphim ! 
 
 Akin to Him, presented thus, 
 
 We needs must dear and welcome be : 
 
 O Father ! Thou wilt smile on us, 
 The First Born bringeth us to Thee. 
 1867. 
 
 LXXII. 
 
 THE ONLY MEDIATOR. 
 
 " There is one Mediator between God and man, the man 
 Christ Jesus." 
 
 OFFERER of the one oblation, 
 Who alone the work hast wrought ! 
 
 Bringer of the great salvation, 
 Who alone the joy hast brought ! 
 
1864. 
 
 of Praise. 103 
 
 Sinless Saviour ! only to Thee 
 
 May the sinful soul repair ; 
 Priest Eternal ! only through Thee 
 
 May ascend the sinner's prayer. 
 
 Yet will men Thy glory darken j 
 
 Yet will men Thy comfort leave, 
 Unto lying prophets hearken, 
 
 Unto helpless helpers cleave ; 
 In Thy spoils array transgressors, 
 
 Sinful saviours join with Thee, 
 And for powerless intercessors 
 
 Claim Thy might and majesty. 
 
 For no sinning saints we leave Thee, 
 
 Lift no virgin to Thy throne ! 
 Only Saviour ! we receive Thee 
 
 For our all as for our own : 
 We rejoice in Thy completeness ; 
 
 We Thy finished work proclaim, 
 And uplift alone the sweetness 
 
 Of that only Saving Name. 
 
 Thou alone our souls contentest, 
 
 Who alone didst bear our sin, 
 Who alone our prayers presentest, 
 
 Who alone our Heaven dost win ; 
 There we share the angels' duty, 
 
 There the Father's smile partake, 
 Radiant only in Thy beauty, 
 
 Welcome only for Thy sake. 
 
104 The Golden Chain 
 
 LXXIII. 
 
 THE ONLY PRIEST. 
 
 " We have a great High Priest who has passed into the 
 Heavens, Jesus the Son of God." 
 
 BRIGHT the eye of Israel beamed 
 When her Priest atonement made, 
 
 When the gorgeous vesture gleamed, 
 When the solemn prayer was prayed : 
 
 Rapt her waiting 
 While within the veil he stayed. 
 
 For a while the joy might tarry ; 
 
 For an hour the glory shone ; 
 From the earthly sanctuary 
 
 Soon the mortal priest was gone : 
 Weak the blessing 
 
 By the sinful weakling won. 
 
 O our ransom's rich completeness 
 By the sinless Saviour wrought ! 
 
 O our joy's abiding sweetness 
 By the Heavenly Lover brought ! 
 
 O the glory 
 Of our Priest who dieth not ! 
 
 Still He dwelleth, bright He beameth 
 
 In the inmost realm above ; 
 Yet through all the glory streameth 
 
 Down the fulness of His love ; 
 From His Father, 
 
 From His folk He will not move. 
 
i855- 
 
 of Praise. 105 
 
 Everywhere we greet the splendour 
 
 Of our endless Priest Divine ; 
 Meetly, Lord, our gifts we render 
 
 Sprinkled with that blood of Thine ; 
 In Thy raiment, 
 
 In those strange white robes we shine. 
 
 Have Thy lovers earthward yearned ? 
 
 Still the Heavenly Lover pleads ; 
 Have we from Thy warfare turned ? 
 
 Still the Saviour intercedes : 
 Wax we weary ? 
 
 Still our own Forerunner leads. 
 
 O our sole Redeemer ever ! 
 
 O our only, only Priest ! 
 Son of God ! be parted never 
 
 From Thy lowliest and Thy least ! 
 Ours Thy glory — 
 
 Ours the fulness of Thy feast. 
 
 LXXIV. 
 
 THE FORERUNNER. 
 
 HOW closely do Thy people cling, 
 Thou only Priest, to Thee ! 
 
 Beside the glory of their King 
 How mean earth's majesty ! 
 
 Sweet Saviour, how the balm they bless 
 Wherewith Thy cross is rife, 
 
 And yearn less faintly to express 
 Their great Exemplar's life ! 
 
io6 The Golden Chain 
 
 Amidst the conflict they rejoice 
 Their Captain's eye to meet : 
 
 They gather from their Teacher's voice 
 All lore sublime and sweet. 
 
 But not less dear, not less divine 
 Their great Forerunner Thou : 
 
 Along the road Thy footsteps shine 
 Whereon they travel now. 
 
 Where'er they tread, where'er they climb, 
 Still hast Thou gone before : 
 
 In darksome deeps, on heights sublime 
 Thy pathway they explore. 
 
 Hath not the way with Thee been sweet ? 
 
 What bliss the goal to share, 
 To pass within the veil and meet 
 
 Their own Forerunner there ! 
 
 But not before Thy folk alone 
 Hast Thou gone up on high ; 
 
 For them the Lord hath upward gone 
 For whom He came to die. 
 
 For them the great Forerunner waits, 
 For them a home doth win : 
 
 He openeth wide the pearly gates ; 
 He lets His pilgrims in. 
 
 Their own Forerunner's smile they share, 
 Their own Forerunner's bliss : 
 
 Thrice-blessed souls for ever there 
 Where their Forerunner is ! 
 
of Praise. 107 
 
 Lord ! shall we thus thrice blessed be, 
 
 For ever Thine as now ? 
 Thy lowly after-comers we, 
 
 Our own Forerunner Thou. 
 
 1893. 
 
 LXXV. 
 
 UNITY NOT UNIFORMITY. 
 
 " There shall be one flock, one Shepherd" perverted after 
 the Vulgate in most English versions i?ito " one fold" 
 
 O ! NEVER from that Voice Divine 
 
 Did sweeter utterance break ; 
 Yet, Lord, a word that was not Thine 
 
 Its sweetness doth unmake. 
 
 The Shepherd yearned not for one fold ; 
 
 Not of one fold He spoke : 
 One flock the Shepherd would behold, 
 
 His lips foretold one flock. 
 
 Yet men have set His word at nought, 
 
 The Shepherd have gainsaid. 
 Pontiffs and priests one fold have taught, 
 
 One strict enclosure made j 
 
 The sheep have smitten who forbore 
 
 Therein to be enrolled ; 
 Have dealt the flock oppression sore 
 
 In honour of the fold. 
 
108 The Golden Chain 
 
 No rigid rites, no creed exact 
 May the one flock combine ; 
 
 No hedge its pasture may contract, 
 No pales its range confine. 
 
 Where'er the Shepherd's name is sweet, 
 Where'er He guards and guides, 
 
 Where'er glad souls His bidding greet, 
 There, there the flock abides. 
 
 To sheep within one fold enclosed 
 He bounds not His delight j 
 
 One flock, of many folds composed, 
 One Shepherd doth unite. 
 
 May we among Thy sheep be told 
 
 Whatever name we bear : 
 Lord, grant us grace, whate'er our fold, 
 
 With Thy one flock to share. 
 1886. 
 
 LXXVI. 
 
 TRUE, LIVING UNITY. 
 
 THOU dost not, Lord, Thy folk forsake; 
 
 The flock is one in Thee : 
 From the one Shepherd it doth take 
 
 Its blessed unity. 
 
 To many folds belong Thy sheep, 
 
 On many pastures grow ; 
 One Shepherd still the flock doth keep, 
 
 Doth oneness still bestow. 
 
of Praise. 109 
 
 They browse on rugged mountains bare, 
 
 In meadows fair they feed ; 
 One Shepherd watcheth everywhere, 
 
 One flock doth tend and lead. 
 
 In many far-off lands they dwell, 
 
 They come of many a stock ; 
 One Shepherd knows them all full well, 
 
 In Him they make one flock. 
 
 In vain do centuries divide, 
 
 In vain do ages run j 
 Still, still the Shepherd doth abide, 
 
 Still, still the flock is one. 
 
 In vain discordant fashions part, 
 
 In vain are varying rites ; 
 His sheep all share the Shepherd's heart, 
 
 One Shepherd still unites. 
 
 In various worship they rejoice, 
 
 Diverging ways approve ; 
 Yet sweet to all one Shepherd's voice, 
 
 Yet all one Shepherd love. 
 
 His sweetness doth their hearts entwine, 
 
 His love their wonder wake ; 
 His glory doth their joy combine, 
 
 In Him one flock they make. 
 
 Yes, here where rents and barriers teem, 
 
 Where souls each other shun, 
 Yes, here the Shepherd is supreme ; 
 
 Yes, here the flock is one. 
 
 ;886. 
 
no The Golden Chain 
 
 LXXVII. 
 
 VISIBLE, ETERNAL UNITY. 
 
 THE barriers will not always stay, 
 The rents will all be gone ; 
 
 The many folds will pass away, 
 The flock be seen as one. 
 
 To the Good Shepherd's fold above 
 The sheep will all repair ; 
 
 His beams of grace, their looks of love 
 The oneness will declare. 
 
 Souls sundered here with sweet surprise 
 Their kinship will discern, 
 
 The fair, full flock will recognise, 
 The Shepherd's love will learn. 
 
 That love will every tongue forth tell, 
 
 Will every act repeat, 
 The oneness will be visible, 
 
 Eternal and complete. 
 
 One flock, for ever one, behold, 
 Beneath one Shepherd's eye, 
 
 Gathered at last into one fold, 
 The unbounded realm on high. 
 
 1886. 
 
 LXXVIII. 
 
 "The Name above every name" 
 
 WITH what delight we name the name 
 
 Of some heroic soul ! 
 We glow as the deep voice of Fame 
 
 Its glory forth doth roll. 
 
of Praise. 
 
 We store the worth whereof it tells, 
 The wealth wherewith it teems ; 
 
 We bless the might therein that dwells, 
 The light therefrom that beams. 
 
 But O ! " the glories that compose " l 
 
 The Name above all names ! 
 The unbounded rapture it bestows, 
 
 The unbounded sway it claims ! 
 
 It rings in the sad sinner's ear 
 
 The joy of pardoned sin : 
 Aspiring saints its summons hear, 
 
 And heights more heavenly win. 
 
 At that dread sound the oppressor quakes, 
 
 And sets his bondman free ; 
 At that sweet sound the slave awakes 
 
 To life and liberty. 
 
 Tis thundered forth : earth's pillars bow, 
 
 Wide-ruling monarchs bend. 
 'Tis whispered : stricken mourners glow 
 
 And lowly souls ascend. 
 
 It runs, it rings the ages through ; 
 
 It towers across Time's track ; 
 The years before look on thereto ; 
 
 The after-years look back. 
 
 'The glories that compose Thy Name 
 Stand all engaged to make me blest." 
 
1 1 2 The Golden Chain 
 
 It helps the meek who suffer wrong 
 
 More patiently to bear ; 
 It quickens valiant souls and strong 
 
 More mightily to dare. 
 
 From closing lips it falters forth 
 Ere spirits heavenward fly ; 
 
 It stirs their last faint breath on earth, 
 Their first glad song on high. 
 
 O Name all other names above ! 
 
 So wondrous, high, and sweet, 
 That seals the lips of Awe, that Love 
 
 For ever would repeat ! 
 
 Yes, Love its boundless joy proclaims, 
 Its endless strain prolongs, 
 
 Rings forth the Name above all names 
 In song above all songs. 
 
 LXXIX. 
 
 " Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies 
 Thy footstool." 
 
 THOU tarriest with the Father, 
 
 Dear Son of His delight, 
 Till all the spoils Thou gather 
 
 Of Thy well-foughten fight; 
 Thou stayest in His glory 
 
 Till all Thy foes lie low, 
 And angels sing the story 
 
 Of their full overthrow. 
 
1864. 
 
 of Praise. 1 1 3 
 
 Ah ! foemen still deny Thee, 
 
 Still Thy dear truth gainsay ; 
 Ah ! rebels still defy Thee, 
 
 Still spurn Thy blessed sway- 
 Yet shall the last, the greatest, 
 
 Be brought beneath Thy yoke ; 
 The while Thou yonder waitest 
 
 And watchest o'er Thy folk. 
 
 Thou pleadest, Priest Eternal, 
 
 Thou pleadest for Thine own ; 
 They bless the grace supernal 
 
 That streameth from Thy throne. 
 They wait Thy sure returning, 
 
 They wait Thy glorious hour, 
 Their eyes, their hearts are yearning 
 
 To greet Thy day of power. 
 
 It breaketh, lo, it breaketh, 
 
 That wondrous Day Divine ! 
 Thy wrath its fulness taketh, 
 
 Thy love its best doth shine. 
 Thy foes, they lie beneath Thee, 
 
 Sore smitten, broken quite : 
 Thy people, they are with Thee, 
 
 All glorious in Thy light. 
 
 O call us to that muster ! 
 
 O bring us in Thy train ! 
 Shed down on us Thy lustre ! 
 
 Partake with us Thy reign ! 
 While Thou dost yonder tarry, 
 
 Lord, keep us faithful still ! 
 And when Thou com'st in glory, 
 
 Our joy in Thine fulfil ! 
 
H4 The Golden Chain 
 
 LXXX. 
 
 "Jesus Christy the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever" 
 
 JESU S, holiest, tenderest, dearest, 
 Loveliest, lowliest, most sublime ! 
 
 Glorious King of kings, yet nearest 
 To Thy people through all time, 
 
 Still abiding 
 Mighty in each age, each clime ! 
 
 Change, so potent through the ages, 
 Hath put forth no power on Thee ; 
 
 Sages have supplanted sages, 
 
 Thrones have been and ceased to be : 
 
 Still Thou teachest ; 
 Still abides Thy sovereignty. 
 
 Lying lore Thy word hath veiled, 
 
 Grovelling gloom Thy truth obscured : 
 
 Still Thy presence hath been hailed, 
 Still Thy sweet self hast endured : 
 
 Souls have thriven, 
 Of their Jesu's smile assured. 
 
 Grievous sin Thy Church hath stained, 
 Deadly wrong have pontiffs wrought, 
 
 In Thy name have foully reigned, 
 
 'Gainst Thy flock have fiercely fought : 
 
 Priests and princes 
 Fraud and force have spared not. 
 
of Praise. 1 1 5 
 
 Yet nor fraud nor force prevailed 
 Thee from longing souls to hide ; 
 
 Jesus still the martyr hailed ; 
 Still on Thee the saint relied : 
 11 Come, Lord Jesus ! " 
 Still the yearning bondman cried. 
 
 As the heavy yoke grew lighter, 
 
 As the direful gloom decreased, 
 That Bright Presence grew yet brighter, 
 
 Full shone forth that only Priest : 
 To Lord Jesus 
 
 Faster clung His folk released. 
 
 Ages pass ; but Thou maintainest 
 Thy sweet sway, Lord Jesus, now : 
 
 Freedom grows ; but still Thou reignest : 
 Light spreads round ; still shinest Thou. 
 
 Souls most lofty 
 To Thy gracious sceptre bow. 
 
 Never was our Helper nearer 
 
 In the strife with sin and wrong ; 
 Never was our Brother dearer, 
 
 Never was our King more strong \ 
 Never held'st Thou 
 
 Fuller sway o'er Life and Song. 
 
 Thine effulgence nought will smother ; 
 
 Never will Thy might subside : 
 Teacher, Helper, Lover, Brother, 
 
 Saviour, Sovereign, Guardian, Guide, 
 Through the ages 
 
 Still the same wilt Thou abide ; — 
 
116 The Golden Chain 
 
 Still the same — but more victorious, 
 
 With a wider, deeper sway ; 
 Lord than yesterday more glorious, 
 King more mighty than to-day : 
 
 Thus for ever ! 
 More our life, our strength, our stay ! 
 1891. 
 
 LXXXI. 
 
 THE CHURCH AND HER CHARGE. 
 
 WONDERS, Lord, Thy Church victorious 
 Wrought in her celestial prime ; 
 
 Her unworldly youth how glorious ! 
 Her young pureness how sublime ! 
 
 Greatly humble, 
 Richly poor her golden time. 
 
 Bootlessly man's might was wielded 
 'Gainst that weakness, Lord, of Thine ; 
 
 How the world's vain wisdom yielded 
 To that foolishness divine ! 
 
 How the Saviour 
 Did each crowned king outshine ! 
 
 In the world she walked unheeded, 
 On the world divinely wrought ; 
 
 Priests she lacked nor princes needed ; 
 To its sores Heaven's balm she brought : 
 
 Of its splendour, 
 Of its power she asked nought. 
 
of Praise. 1 1 7 
 
 Yet at length that splendour took her, 
 Yet at length that power prevailed : 
 
 Ah ! that early love forsook her ; 
 Ah ! that early pureness failed : 
 
 How she dwindled ! 
 How the Heaven-born brightness paled ! 
 
 Now the hands of kings she clasped, 
 In their courts made glad abode ; 
 
 Now their crowns and sceptres grasped, 
 On their necks disdainful trod : 
 
 Crouching, craving, 
 Now she kissed, now dealt the rod. 
 
 Fainter grew the war with evil j 
 
 Baser strife allured her more ; 
 Set to vanquish world and devil, 
 
 Other spoils she won and wore : 
 Ah ! no longer 
 
 An unstained conqueror ! 
 
 Church of God, win back thy glory ! 
 
 All thine early might resume ! 
 With fresh wonders throng thy story, 
 
 In thine early beauty bloom ! 
 All the brightness 
 
 Of thy Heaven-born light relume ! 
 
 In the world put forth thy splendour ; 
 
 From the world withhold thy heart ! 
 To its lures no homage render, 
 
 To its sores Heaven's balm impart : 
 Touch its evil 
 
 With thy Lord's own holy art ! 
 
n8 The Golden Chain 
 
 Soaring on the Spirit's pinion, 
 Rid of each debasing chain, 
 
 Dwell beneath His sole dominion ! 
 All the Saviour entertain ! 
 
 Thine His wholeness, 
 Thine the fulness of His reign ! 
 
 LXXXII. 
 
 CHRISTENDOM. 
 
 LONG, long have men lip-homage spent, 
 
 Lord Jesus, upon Thee ; 
 Long hath the world eye-service lent 
 
 Unto Thy majesty. 
 
 Monarchs with awe Thy name have named ; 
 
 Thrones have adored Thy throne ; 
 Time Thy dominion hath proclaimed 
 
 And called his years Thine own. 
 
 On crown and sword hath gleamed Thy cross, 
 
 On bark and battlement ; 
 To temples grand and gorgeous 
 
 Thy cross its shape hath lent. 
 
 Pontiffs, pretending rights from Thee, 
 
 Have reigned in lordly Rome : 
 Full many a realm and empery 
 
 Are called Christendom. 
 
 But ah, dear Lord, with what faint might 
 
 Hath Thy true kingdom come ! 
 The sound how loud, the sway how slight 
 
 Of Christ in Christendom ! 
 
of Praise, 1 19 
 
 Its endless warfare, how dost Thou, 
 
 The Prince of Peace, reprove ! 
 How grasping pontiffs disavow 
 
 Thy self-renouncing love ! 
 
 Its blood-stained annals, how they mock 
 
 The book that tells of Thee ! 
 Its throned oppressors, how they shock 
 
 Thy tender majesty ! 
 
 Its conquerors, how they set at nought 
 
 The King who won by loss ! 
 What shame have fierce Crusaders brought 
 
 Upon Thy blessed cross ! 
 
 How ill hath persecuting pride 
 
 Thy gracious steps pursued ! 
 How oft have ruthless priests belied 
 
 Each sweet beatitude ! 
 
 Ah, Holy One ! is this Thy reign, 
 
 Is this Thy realm, Thy home ? 
 Lord Christ ! is this Thine own domain, 
 
 This fierce, false Christendom ? 
 
 But still Thou hast a people true, 
 
 A realm Thou canst not lose : 
 In them, through them Thy work pursue ; 
 
 Thy gracious self diffuse ! 
 
 This fierce, false Christendom unmake — 
 
 Its pride, its wrath o'ercome !' 
 To Thy blest self the kingdom take 
 
 And make true Christendom ! 
 1891. 
 
120 The Golden Chain 
 
 LXXXIII. 
 
 Surely^ I come quickly. Amen, even so; come> Lord Jesus.' 1 
 
 SAVIOUR, in grace complete, 
 
 Whose promises endure ; 
 Whose every word is sweet, 
 Whose every word is sure ; 
 Thy saints rejoice 
 
 In each sure word ; 
 They love the voice 
 Of their dear Lord. 
 
 But, say ! what word of Thine 
 
 Doth their best gladness wake ? 
 When doth Thy Voice Divine 
 Their ear most sweetly take ? 
 What promise blest 
 
 Of all the train, 
 In each glad breast 
 Doth sovereign reign ? 
 
 Saith not their Saviour dear, 
 " Surely I quickly come " ? 
 Thou wilt not leave them here ! 
 Thou soon wilt fetch them home ! 
 This promise, Lord, 
 
 Doth sound most sweet; 
 This thrice-blest word 
 They gladliest greet. 
 
 Their joy will not be dumb ; 
 
 Their love must needs reply \ 
 " Even so, Lord Jesus, come ! 
 
 " Amen ! Amen ! " they cry. 
 
1864. 
 
 of Praise. 1 2 1 
 
 How full of cheer 
 
 Such news of Thee ! 
 They love to hear j 
 
 They long to see. 
 
 This promise first he heard, 
 This answer first he made 
 Who on Thy bosom, Lord, 
 His loving head once laid. 1 
 This promise sweet 
 
 Thy Church receives ; 
 This answer meet 
 
 Thy Church still gives. 
 
 " Surely," our Master saith, 
 
 " I come nor will be slow j " 
 Alas our faltering faith, 
 
 Our love that burns so low ! 
 For us doth ring 
 
 That Voice Divine ; 
 The coming King 
 On us may shine ! 
 
 Our faith would hear and watch, 
 
 Our love would long and burn ; 
 Our lips the glow would catch 
 And answer glad return ; 
 " Amen, Amen ! 
 
 " Lord Jesus, come ! 
 " Appear again 
 
 " And take us home." 
 
 1 " Happy are we that eat this bread, 
 But doubly blest was he 
 That gently bowed his loving head 
 And leaned it, Lord, on Thee." 
 
 WATTS, BOOK III., HYMN 15. 
 
122 The Golden Chain 
 
 LXXXIV. 
 
 THE FIFTH MONARCHY. 
 
 "Come, Lord Jesus? 
 
 SAVIOUR ! what a glorious yearning 
 
 Filled Thy mighty men of old ! 
 How they watched for Thy returning ! 
 
 Fain would they Thy face behold. 
 Ceaselessly their prayers required Thee 
 
 From the sweet celestial home : 
 With desire their hearts desired Thee ! 
 
 Still they cried, " Lord Jesus, come ! " 
 
 Thrones and sceptres how they spurned ; 
 
 They would have no King but Thee ; 
 Shall we mock them that they yearned 
 
 For no meaner royalty ? 
 Idly were their souls dilated 
 
 By a longing so sublime ? 
 Was it folly that they waited 
 
 For their Lord before His time ? 
 
 O that our dull souls were burning 
 
 With this holy, heavenly fire ! 
 O that so divine a yearning 
 
 Swallowed up each low desire ! 
 With this blessed consolation 
 
 Sweeten, Lord, our pains and tears \ 
 With this mighty expectation 
 
 Glorify our mortal years ! 
 
 
1851-68. 
 
 of Praise. 123 
 
 Lovers of the Lord's appearing, 
 
 Watchers for His face to shine, 
 We would tarry still in hearing 
 
 Of His blessed voice divine. 
 Lord ! to us Thou speakest sweetly, 
 
 " I will come and not be slow ! " 
 Give us grace to answer meetly, 
 
 11 Come, Lord Jesus, even so ! " 
 
 LXXXV. 
 
 THE REIGN OF CHRIST. 
 
 "The kingdoms of this world have become the Kifigdoms 
 of our God and of His Christ, and He shall reign for 
 ever and ever. v 
 
 GRIEVES it, Lord, Thy longing lovers 
 
 O'er this smitten Earth to gaze ? 
 Mourn they at the cloud that covers 
 
 Nations from Thy Truth's glad rays ? 
 Do they loathe the baleful lustre 
 
 Of each proud unholy throne ? 
 Wax they faint before the muster 
 
 Of the Tyrants set thereon ? 
 
 Mourn they that Thine Earth still keepeth 
 
 Her old portion, blood and tears — 
 That the sword to fight still leapeth, — 
 
 That the slave his chain still wears ? 
 Comfort have they ceased to carry 
 
 From each prophet's cheerful song ? 
 Do they cry, of waiting weary, 
 
 " Lord, our God ! how long ? how long ? " 
 
124 The Golden Chain 
 
 Deafened ears ! the Lord hath spoken ! 
 
 Faithless hearts ! His Christ shall reign 
 May the Eternal Word be broken ? 
 
 Sounds one promise sweet in vain ? 
 Gladness with Thy mourners dwelleth 
 
 At each gracious word divine ; 
 From the deeps their triumph swelleth ; 
 
 In the dust their faces shine. 
 
 Not in vain the intercession 
 
 That Thy seeking servants pour ! 
 Not for ever the oppression 
 
 That Thine Earth doth vex so sore ! 
 One mild monarchy victorious 
 
 Shall o'erthrow each guilty throne ; 
 Thy dear Christ, divinely glorious, 
 
 O'er the Earth shall reign alone. 
 
 To our tender Intercessor 
 
 Yields each ruthless Caesar place ; 
 On the throne of the oppressor 
 
 Sits and smiles our King of Grace. 
 Wasted realm and withered region 
 
 Have become Emmanuel's land ; 
 Saintly troop and angel-legion 
 
 Have replaced the blood-stained band. 
 
 Never shall His throne be shaken ; 
 
 Never shall His kingdom move ; 
 Never shall the Lord be taken 
 
 From the people of His love. 
 O that sweet unending story ! 
 
 O that song that ne'er doth cease ! 
 Ever shines our King of Glory ; 
 
 Ever reigns our Prince of Peace. 
 i8S3- 
 
of Praise. 125 
 
 LXXXVI. 
 
 " King of kings and Lord of lords" 
 
 EARTHLY lords so brief in sway, 
 Earthly kings so stained with sin, 
 
 Not on you our help we lay, 
 
 Not our hearts, our knees ye win ; 
 
 Lord of lords ! Thy sway we own j 
 
 King of kings, we bless Thy throne. 
 
 Who this King all kings above ? 
 
 Who this Lord to whom we bow ? 
 Sovereign of the realm of Love, 
 
 Sinless Sufferer, 'tis Thou ; 
 King of kings Thou dost abide, 
 Lord of lords, the Crucified. 
 
 Kings whom widest sway upstays, 
 Lords whom richest pomp enshrines ! 
 
 You this Stricken One outsways, 
 You this Shamed One outshines ; 
 
 Yours His wondrous name outrings, 
 
 Lord of lords and King of kings. 
 
 Jesus ! through that cross of Thine, 
 
 Thou the kingdom dost possess, 
 Only King by right divine, 
 
 Right divine of holiness ! 
 King of kings by Love enthroned, 
 Lord of lords by freemen owned. 
 
26 The Golden Chain 
 
 Potentates Thy faith profess, 
 Pontiffs take Thy name in vain : 
 
 There where reigneth righteousness, 
 Only there doth Jesus reign. 
 
 Right Thy ways, Thy works, Thy words, 
 
 King of kings and Lord of lords. 
 
 Thy mild yoke Thy people love, 
 Welcome Thine unbounded sway ; 
 
 Thee, the Righteous King, approve ; 
 Thee, the Gracious Lord, obey : 
 
 With Thy will their will accords, 
 
 King of kings and Lord of lords. 
 
 In Thine own Thou reignest now ; 
 
 But it comes, the Day Divine, 
 When the vanquished world will bow, 
 
 When all sway will yield to Thine ; 
 Thine all creatures, Thine all things, 
 Lord of lords and King of kings. 
 1891. 
 
 LXXXVII. 
 
 CHRIST OUR C^SAR. 
 
 " Render unto Ccesar the things that are Caesar's, and 
 unto God the things that are God's" 
 
 LORD ! Thy gracious voice hath spoken, 
 
 Lord ! Thy faithful ones obey ; 
 Not by us be rudely broken 
 
 Christ's command or Caesar's sway ! 
 
of Praise. 12 J 
 
 God too greatly cannot task us — 
 
 Tribute glad we bring the Lord ; 
 Service slight must Caesar ask us — 
 
 Tribute small can we afford. 
 
 Yet each holier soul desireth 
 
 Nobler Caesars to appear : 
 Each diviner hour requireth 
 
 Powers and thrones more glorious here — 
 All our tribute, all our treasure 
 
 We would spend where we can love ; 
 Jesus ! come and be our Caesar ! 
 
 Sovereign here as Lord above. 
 
 Low before Thy kingdom's splendour 
 Make the world's poor kingdoms bow ! 
 
 Lord ! to Thee our all we render — 
 Thou our gracious Caesar, Thou ! 
 
 Thy mild monarchy victorious 
 
 Half Thy word shall needless make. 
 
 Our least service shall be glorious — 
 
 All our tribute God shall take. 
 1850. 
 
 LXXXVIII. 
 
 THE GLORY OF THE LATTER DAYS. 
 
 11 The power of Thy grace is not passed away with the 
 primitive times as fond and faithless men imagine, 
 but Thy kingdom is now at hand and Thou standing 
 at the door. ,} „. T ^>„ 
 
 MILTON. 
 
 OUR God ! our God ! Thou shinest here, 
 
 Thine own this latter day : 
 To us Thy radiant steps appear : 
 
 We watch Thy glorious way. 
 
128 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thou tookest once our flesh ; Thy face 
 Once on our darkness shone ; 
 
 Yet through each age New Births of Grace 
 Still make Thy glory known. 
 
 Not only olden ages felt 
 
 The presence of the Lord ; 
 Not only with the fathers dwelt 
 
 Thy Spirit and Thy Word. 
 
 Doth not the Spirit still descend 
 And bring the heavenly fire ? 
 
 Doth not He still Thy Church extend 
 And waiting souls inspire ? 
 
 Come, Holy Ghost ! in us arise ; 
 
 Be this Thy mighty hour ! 
 And make Thy willing people wise 
 
 To know Thy day of power ! 
 
 Pour down Thy fire in us to glow. 
 
 Thy might in us to dwell ; 
 Again Thy works of wonder show, 
 
 Thy blessed secrets tell ! 
 
 Bear us aloft, more glad, more strong 
 
 On Thy celestial wing, 
 And grant us grace to look and long 
 
 For our returning King. 
 
 He draweth near, He standeth by, 
 
 He fills our eyes, our ears ; 
 Come, King of Grace, Thy people cry, 
 And bring the glorious years ! 
 1846-62. 
 
of Praise, 
 
 LXXXIX. 
 
 FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. 
 
 "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching 
 forward to those things which are before? 
 
 EVERLASTING ! Changing never ! 
 
 Of one strength, no more, no less ! 
 Thine Almightiness for ever, 
 
 All the same Thy holiness ! 
 In all fulness 
 
 Thou all glory dost possess. 
 
 But we weaklings, but we sinners 
 Would not in our weakness stay : 
 
 Of more glory make us winners ; 
 Lead us on along Thy way 
 Ever nearer 
 To Thy pure and perfect day ! 
 
 May we not draw forth new treasure 
 From the Saviour's boundless store ? 
 
 Spirit ! takest Thou not pleasure 
 On each age Thy breath to pour ? 
 
 Sweet and mighty 
 Com'st Thou not as heretofore ? 
 
 By Thine earliest, by Thy latest, 
 
 By Thy saints and martyrs all, 
 By Thy sweetest, by Thy greatest, 
 
 By Thy John and by Thy Paul, 
 By Thy sages, 
 
 By Thy souls heroical ! 
 
30 The Golden Chain 
 
 By their holy, high achieving, 
 By their visions more divine, 
 
 By each gift of our receiving 
 
 From those mighty ones of Thine, 
 
 By Thy radiance 
 That through them on us doth shine ! 
 
 By Thy truth, how faintly spoken ! 
 
 By Thy will, how slackly done ! 
 By each idol still unbroken, 
 
 By each spirit still unwon ; 
 
 Hear us ! hear us ! 
 
 Our Almighty, help us on ! 
 
 Give Thy people to inherit 
 
 Births of Grace with Thee upstored, 
 Fuller breathings of Thy Spirit, 
 
 Fuller openings of Thy Word ! 
 Make us meeter 
 
 To embrace our coming Lord ! 
 
 Make our own a nobler story 
 Than was ever writ before ! 
 Stay not then ! show forth Thy glory 
 In our aftercomers more ! 
 
 Everlasting ! 
 Fuller grace incessant pour ! 
 1845-53- 
 
of Praise. 131 
 
 xc. 
 
 ENGLAND'S HYMN. 
 
 He hath not dealt so with any nation. Praise ye the 
 Lord." 
 
 LIFT thy song among the nations, 
 
 England of the Lord beloved ! 
 Sing the grace for generations 
 
 That hath kept thy lamp unmoved ; 
 Sing how vainly hosts assembled 
 
 'Gainst the isle of His delight j 
 Sing how tyrants turned and trembled 
 
 When His arm upheld thy right ! 
 
 Sing how He the Lord hath brought thee 
 
 Onward still from height to height, 
 How the Heavenly Lustre sought thee 
 
 Ere it made the world more bright. 
 Let the freedom long-descended 
 
 Gloriously uplift thy voice ! 
 In the Good Old Cause defended 
 
 By thy men of might rejoice ! 
 
 Sing how He His England crowned 
 
 When He loosed the yoke of Rome ; 
 Sing how He His truth enthroned 
 
 In this consecrated home ; 
 How He trusts thee with the treasure 
 
 Of His Word to send it forth ; 
 Mightily fulfil His pleasure ; 
 
 Send His Word o'er all the earth ! 
 
132 The Golden Chain 
 
 Sing how gleamed His sword victorious 
 
 In the hands of heroes thine ! 
 How His fire more sweetly glorious 
 
 Streamed from thy souls divine ! 
 Let no marvel of thy story 
 
 Lose its place amidst the praise ! 
 Praise Him for thine olden glory ! 
 
 Praise Him for these latter days ! 
 
 Sing how freedom's fire abideth 
 
 Where it first did burn and shine j 
 How for thee the Lord provideth 
 
 Boundless realms and tasks divine ! 
 Costly gifts of old thou broughtest ; 
 
 Holy songs thou once didst bring ; 
 Seek the Lord as once thou soughtest ; 
 
 Mighty serve and mighty sing ! 
 1843. 
 
 xci. 
 HYMN OF THE ENGLISH TONGUE. 
 
 TO Heaven each nation lendeth 
 
 The service of its tongue ; 
 The voice of each ascendeth 
 
 To God in prayer and song : 
 Themes sacred and supernal 
 
 Each tongue's full strength require ; 
 Things high, divine, eternal 
 
 Its loftiest strains inspire. 
 
 But say, what speech so swayeth, 
 So far and wide doth reach, 
 
 Such lore divine conveyeth, 
 As our own English speech ? 
 
of Praise. 133 
 
 What tongue so meetly telleth 
 
 Of God's high works and ways, 
 So sweetly, grandly swelleth 
 
 Into true prayer and praise. 
 
 Through farthest West it ringeth ; 
 
 In farthest East it reigns ; 
 To Northern climes it clingeth ; 
 
 It fills Australian plains. 
 The Pilgrim Fathers spake it j 
 
 Their children spread it forth ; 
 Still Christian freemen take it 
 
 From end to end of earth. 
 
 What speech such help hath yielded 
 
 To Freedom and to Truth — 
 The speech that Wycliffe wielded 
 
 In its aspiring youth ? 
 What tongue to this high duty 
 
 So gloriously hath clung ? — 
 Of Heavenly Love and Beauty 
 
 Wherein our Spenser sung — 
 
 Wherewith his works of glory 
 
 Our mighty Milton wrought, 
 Rang forth Redemption's story, 
 
 Fair Freedom's battle fought ; — 
 Whereon to heights supernal 
 
 That soul sublimest soared ; 
 W T herein those strains eternal 
 
 That sovran bard outpoured ? 
 
 And lesser sacred singers 
 
 Have wielded well our tongue ; 
 To countless souls joy-bringers, 
 
 Have Watts and Wesley sung. 
 
34 The Golden Chain 
 
 And still the tide on floweth, 
 The stream divine doth swell ; 
 
 This English tongue still knoweth 
 And doth its duty well. 
 
 O mighty tongue, excelling 
 
 All tongues in width of sway, 
 Still of high things be telling ! 
 
 Still tasks divine essay ! 
 Still be Thy strength transcendent 
 
 To Truth and Freedom given ! 
 Still may Thy light resplendent 
 
 Reflect the light of Heaven ! 
 1894. 
 
 xcn. 
 THE GOOD OLD CAUSE. 
 
 OUR fathers — how divinely they discerned, 
 How variously pursued the work of God! 
 
 For His full presence in their souls they yearned ; 
 
 They watched His steps, they owned His might abroad. 
 
 Within, without His work divine they hailed, 
 
 Within, without His glory they pursued, 
 His might was manifest, His arm prevailed 
 
 In realms reformed, as in souls renewed. 
 
 They sought, they served Him in each high endeavour 
 
 For larger liberty, more righteous laws ; 
 They saw His work of yore advancing ever ; 
 
 They strove, they triumphed for the Good Old Cause. 
 
of Praise. 135 
 
 With earnest, painful striving they contended, 
 To shape man's statutes after God's decrees ; 
 
 Heaven's law, earth's freedom in one quest they blended, 
 They linked the Gracchi with the Maccabees. 
 
 Amidst the stir and strife, Most High, they sought Thee, 
 Through cloud and storm they saw Thy glory shine ; 
 
 What potent prayers, what mighty deeds they brought 
 Thee! 
 How grandly swelled Thy Milton's voice divine ! 
 
 That Good Old Cause to us they have bequeathed, 
 That heritage on us Thou hast bestowed : 
 
 But, Great Renewer, hast Thou on us breathed 
 The mighty fire wherewith our fathers glowed ? 
 
 Impart their soul as we their tasks inherit ! 
 
 Bestow the twofold fervour of their zeal ! 
 Give us to hold Thee in our inmost spirit, 
 
 To spread Thy glory in the commonweal — 
 
 With either foe to wage a warfare glorious — 
 'Gainst soul-defiling Sin to win the fight, 
 
 Against world-wasting Wrong to strive victorious ; 
 To hail Thy sway in far-extended Right ! 
 
 From evil rule within, without release us, 
 Unfold Thy glory in our lives, our laws ! 
 
 Freemen of England and the Lord Christ Jesus, 
 We serve, we sing the glorious Good Old Cause. 
 1S90. 
 
136 The Golden Chain 
 
 XCIII. 
 
 THE GOOD OLD CAUSE IN AFFLICTION. 
 
 " Hath the Lord forgotten to be gracious ? " 
 (Drawn forth by the fall of Hungary and Rome in 1849.) 
 
 HOW bitter, Lord, these tears I shed ! 
 
 How faint this heart of mine ! 
 I weep o'er glorious visions fled, 
 
 O'er vanished hopes divine. 
 
 I weep o'er wounded Truth and Right, 
 
 O'er saints and heroes slain : 
 I mourn that Wrong has won the fight, 
 
 That tyrants rage and reign. 
 
 How long shall Truth and Right lie low ? 
 
 How long, O Lord, how long 
 Shall Thy Good Cause sore smitten bow, 
 
 And Thine own foes be strong ? 
 
 How long shall we with ceaseless cries 
 
 Thy coming vainly pray, 
 And vainly wait with longing eyes 
 
 Thy bright, redeeming day ? 
 
 Lord ! wilt Thou from Thy seekers hide ? 
 
 Wilt Thou Thy Cause forsake, 
 Nor mighty with Thy host abide, 
 
 Nor glad Thy mourners make ? 
 
 
of Praise. 137 
 
 Our hearts may faint j our eyes may stream : 
 
 But, Lord, we trust Thee still : 
 We know Thy cause Thou wilt redeem, 
 
 Thy work Thou wilt fulfil. 
 
 Not vainly saints and heroes die ; 
 Their blood Thou holdest dear ; 
 Yet shall they win the victory, 
 And Thou the glory wear. 
 1849. 
 
 XCIV. 
 
 THE GOOD OLD CAUSE TRIUMPHANT. 
 
 (Drawn forth by the restoration of Hungarian freedom, the 
 accomplishment of Italian unity, the extinction of American 
 slavery.) 
 
 OUR fainting souls revive, 
 
 Our hopes their bloom regain ; 
 The Good Old Cause doth thrive : 
 The righteous Lord doth reign. 
 The teeming years 
 New births have brought ; 
 Redress is wrought, 
 Light re-appears. 
 
 Dethroned despots lurk ; 
 
 Enfranchised nations rise. 
 The world-reforming work 
 Makes glad our longing eyes. 
 With heightened trust 
 And joy we see 
 The soul more free, 
 The law more just. 
 
138 The Golden Chain 
 
 More fast doth Freedom hold 
 Her ancient English home ; 
 Here where she smiled of old 
 Her smiles more bright become. 
 Abroad begins 
 Her blessed reign j 
 A fair domain 
 Abroad she wins. 
 
 The bondmen of the West 
 
 No longer wear their chains ; 
 With Freedom's fulness blest 
 The great Republic reigns. 
 All hail, all hail, 
 Ye Pilgrim Sires ! 
 Your soul inspires, 
 Your sons prevail. 
 
 Lo ! Italy is one ; 
 
 Lo ! Italy is free : 
 Nor doth the realm alone 
 Rejoice in liberty ; 
 
 The Mind may soar, 
 The Soul may sing ; 
 The Pontiff king 
 He reigns no more. 
 
 Thou reignest, righteous Lord ; 
 
 Thy fuller sway we greet 
 In justice more assured, 
 In freedom more complete. 
 When Wrong is quelled, 
 When Right hath won, 
 Thy will is done, 
 Thy Throne upheld. 
 
of Praise. 139 
 
 Work out Thy holy will, 
 
 New songs of triumph win, 
 The Good Old Cause fulfil ! 
 The reign of Christ bring in ! 
 Supreme His might, 
 Our bliss complete — 
 His reign how bright ! 
 Our song how sweet ! 
 1892. 
 
 xcv. 
 THE HYMN OF THE WALDENSES. 
 
 " Lord ! Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all 
 generations. ," 
 
 LORD ! Thou hast been our dwelling-place 
 
 In every generation ; 
 Thy people still have known Thy grace 
 
 And blessed Thy consolation ; 
 Through every age Thou heard'st our cry ; 
 Through every age we found Thee nigh, 
 
 Our strength and our salvation. 
 
 Our cleaving sins we oft have wept, 
 
 And oft Thy patience proved ; 
 But still Thy faith we fast have kept, 
 
 Thy name we still have loved : 
 And Thou hast kept and loved us well, 
 Hast granted us in Thee to dwell, 
 
 Unshaken, unremoved. 
 
140 The Golden Chain 
 
 (We kept Thy faith 'gainst kings of might 
 
 And potentates infernal ; 
 We kept Thy faith in Rome's despite 
 
 By help of Grace Supernal. 
 The foe was fierce, the woe was long ; 
 But O ! our Helper was more strong, 
 
 Our Lover was eternal. 
 
 Through woes unspeakable we went, 
 But Thou didst go before us j 
 
 Hell all its darts against us spent, 
 But Thou, our shield, wast o'er us : 
 
 Within the sevenfold fire we stood, 
 
 But there appeared the Son of God, 
 The flame would not devour us. 
 
 Vain was the long enduring rage, 
 Vain, vain the ceaseless slaughter ; 
 
 Thine Israel lived from age to age, 
 Kept by the blood that bought her : 
 
 She could not droop, she could not die ; 
 
 The heavenly Helper still was nigh 
 And dear deliverance brought her. 
 
 Thy stricken people now have rest, 
 In peace we may confess Thee ; 
 
 Thy Word is no forbidden guest, 
 In gladness we may bless Thee. 
 
 Lord, as our fathers held Thee fast 
 
 Through all the bitter, glorious Past, 
 So may their sons possess Thee ! 
 
of Praise. 14 1 
 
 Love us not only for their sake 
 
 But get from us some glory ! 
 Sublime and bright and blessed make 
 
 This sweetness of our story. 
 Give us to trace with filial feet 
 Their footsteps through these valleys sweet 
 
 And o'er these mountains hoary.) 
 
 No, nothing from those arms of love 
 
 Shall Thine own people sever : 
 Our Helper never will remove, 
 
 Our God will fail us never. 
 Thy people, Lord, have dwelt in Thee ; 
 Our dwelling-place Thou still wilt be 
 
 For ever and for ever. 
 1864. 
 
 (This hymn as a whole belongs to the Waldenses only, among 
 whom it was begun, but all the people of God have an interest in 
 the first two and the last verses.) 
 
 XCVI. 
 THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 
 
 " Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants^ and Thy glory 
 unto their children" 
 
 LORD God ! one blessing ever 
 
 Thy faithful servants ask, 
 Thy help in each endeavour — 
 
 Thy presence in each task. 
 This boon our fathers asked : 
 
 This boon the Pilgrims won ; 
 Divinely were they tasked ; 
 
 Divinely have they done. 
 
142 The Golden Chain 
 
 Their pathway plain Thou madest 
 
 Across the wintry sea ; 
 They came because Thou badest ; 
 
 They came to wait on Thee, 
 They came their chiefest treasure 
 
 In freedom to possess, 
 To work their Lord's dear pleasure 
 
 Here in the wilderness. 
 
 Their tears, their toil they brought Thee, 
 
 Thou Taskmaster Divine : 
 In fear, in gloom they sought Thee ; 
 
 Still, still Thy face did shine. 
 The Great Taskmaster knew them 
 
 The Lord of Glory smiled ; 
 No meaner presence drew them : 
 
 No earthly dream beguiled. 
 
 Not of the might they deemed 
 
 Their weakness forth would bring : 
 No golden dream they dreamed 
 
 Of empire thence to spring. 
 They laid their work beneath Thee : 
 
 They knew it was divine : 
 They left the glory with Thee : 
 
 Their children see it shine. 
 
 On us doth rest the splendour, 
 
 With us doth dwell the might : 
 Our power doth tribute render 
 
 Unto their lowly plight. 
 Our strength and store we borrow 
 
 From their heroic pains : 
 Out of their godly sorrow 
 
 We draw our glorious gains. 
 
of Praise. 143 
 
 We who such gifts inherit, 
 
 Shall we no gift bequeath ? 
 Lord ! full on us the spirit 
 
 Of Thy dear Pilgrims breathe ! 
 In us repeat their story, 
 
 No task divine withhold ; 
 And then anew the glory 
 
 Unto our sons unfold ! 
 
 1868. 
 
 xcvn. 
 
 THE THANKSGIVING SONG OF 
 PROTESTANT BRITAIN 
 
 u Let us all go, every true Protested Briton, throughout the 
 three kingdoms, and render thanks to God the Father of 
 Lights, and to His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 
 
 HANOVER. MILTON. 
 
 O'ER fulness of grace, blest Britain, rejoice ! 
 
 In fulness of heart, glad Britain, loud sing ! 
 Ten thousand the mercies that gladden thy voice, 
 
 But let thy chief glory most gloriously ring. 
 
 Rejoice in the King who gave thee each gift, 
 
 The freedom, the skill, the strength and the store j 
 
 But songs yet more glad to the Giver uplift 
 
 Who gave thee His Gospel, who taught thee His lore. 
 
 He loosed thy neck from Rome's grievous yoke : 
 Before thee her power and pride He subdued : 
 
 Her darkness He scattered, her idols He broke, 
 Thy realm He redeemed, thy soul He renewed. 
 
144 The Golden Chain 
 
 Full beamed the Light Divine on thine eye ; 
 
 Rang sweetly the Voice Divine in thine ear : 
 Thou knewest thy time as the Quickener drew nigh, 
 
 His breath madest welcome, His Word heldest dear. 
 
 He bade thee o'er earth His Gospel make known ; 
 
 His fulness of grace on Britain He spent ; 
 Lo ! high He enthroned His truth on thy throne 
 
 And with His own glory thy glory He blent. 
 
 Because of His truth He widened thy reign : 
 He crowned the isle that welcomed His Word : 
 
 He made of far regions thy long-sweeping train 
 And put in thine hand an invincible sword. 
 
 O cleave to His truth that set thee on high ! 
 
 Rejoice in His light that made thee to shine ! 
 Like strong-winged eagle, keep sunward thine eye 
 
 And tell of His glory that mingles with thine ! 
 
 Remember thy Chiefs His glory who sought, 
 Remember thy Seers His bidding who spake ; 
 
 Remember thy Heroes His battles who fought, 
 Remember thy Martyrs who died for His sake ! 
 
 Unlearn not the lore thy Wycliffe well learned, 
 Forsake not the cause thy Milton approved ; 
 
 Forget not the fire where thy Latimer burned, 
 
 Nor turn from the truth that thy Cromwell so loved ! 
 
 The yoke they cast off, of thee still be spurned ! 
 
 The idols they broke, of thee be abhorred ! 
 Still cleave where they cleaved ! still yearn as they yearned ! 
 
 Be glad with their gladness ! be true to their Lord ! 
 
of Praise. 145 
 
 His wonders adore, thy bright Past respect ! 
 
 To praise His great name thy glory employ ; 
 Rejoice, thou Beloved ! be glad, thou Elect ! 
 
 Break forth into singing beneath the full joy ! 
 [868. 
 
 XCVIII. 
 
 THE SPANISH ARMADA, 1588. 
 
 THE wonders of thy story, 
 
 Blest England, heed full well ; — 
 Rejoice in all thy glory — 
 
 Of each deliverance tell ! 
 Now, as this year requireth, 
 
 Let Memory gladliest glow ! 
 Now, as this year inspireth, 
 
 In thankful song o'erflow ! 
 
 Look back with exultation ! 
 
 Sing loud with solemn cheer ! 
 Ring forth the great salvation — 
 
 Ring forth the wondrous year — 
 The huge Armada shivered, 
 
 The might of Spain brought low — 
 The happy isle delivered 
 
 Three hundred years ago ! 
 
 Tell with what pride advanced 
 
 That marvel of the main — 
 How Rome's fierce wrath enhanced 
 
 The wrathful might of Spain ! 
 A twofold death was meant thee ; 
 
 A twofold force assailed : 
 A twofold life was lent thee ; 
 
 A twofold strength prevailed. 
 
46 The Golden Chain 
 
 It came thy might to shatter, 
 
 Thy freedom low to lay : 
 It came thy soul to fetter, 
 
 To quench thy Gospel-day. 
 His strength King Philip strained, 
 
 His curse Pope Sixtus blent ; 
 The Lord thine arm sustained ; 
 
 With thee His blessing went. 
 
 Sing how those English freemen 
 
 Around their Queen fast stood, 
 Sing how those English seamen 
 
 Wrought well on their own flood ! 
 With what strong strokes they battered 
 
 That monster of the main — 
 How shrunken, shorn and shattered, 
 
 The Armada longed for Spain ! 
 
 Tell of those fire-ships driven 
 
 Amidst the frighted foe ! 
 How flamed that midnight heaven ! 
 
 What wonder and what woe ! 
 How broke the huge Armada 
 
 Beneath that fiery rain — 
 How fled the foiled invader 
 
 Along that Northern main ! 
 
 Yet direr strokes appalled 
 
 The stricken, shuddering foe ; 
 The winds, the waves were called 
 
 For his full overthrow. 
 It heard, that guardian Ocean ; 
 
 They rose, those faithful seas, 
 In horrible commotion 
 
 'Gainst England's enemies. 
 
[888. 
 
 of Praise. 147 
 
 Sing how those blasts o'erpowered them 
 
 As from thy sword they fled ! 
 Sing how those waves devoured them, 
 
 Thy helpers strong and dread ! 
 How well His war they waged, 
 
 Those angels of the Lord — 
 For what high end they raged, 
 
 With what glad triumph roared ! 
 
 Be that glad roar resounded 
 
 In thy triumphant song ! 
 O'er Spain and Rome confounded 
 
 The mighty mirth prolong — 
 The twofold woe averted, 
 
 The twofold yoke repelled — 
 The world-oppressor thwarted, 
 
 The soul-enslaver quelled ! 
 
 With lowly exultation, 
 
 W r ith thankful awe retrace 
 The width of the salvation, 
 
 The fulness of the grace ! 
 Those glorious after-ages 
 
 In all their wealth display ! 
 Thy heroes, poets, sages 
 
 Set forth in bright array ! — 
 
 Thy freedom ever growing, 
 
 Thy far-extended might, 
 Thy widened soul still glowing, 
 
 Thy Gospel-day still bright ! 
 These gifts, this exaltation 
 
 Survey and then o'erflow 
 With joy in that salvation 
 
 Three hundred years ago. 
 
148 The Golden Chain 
 
 xcix. 
 1588 AND 1688. 
 
 " I will rei?ie??iber the years of the right hand of the Most 
 High." 
 
 HAST Thou not oft, Most High, redeemed our nation? 
 
 Hast Thou not oft been gracious to our land ? 
 We call to mind the years of her salvation ; 
 
 We call to mind the years of Thy right hand : 
 
 The years when she was signally assailed, 
 
 The years when she was wondrously redeemed ; 
 
 Wherein Thy cause in her good cause prevailed, 
 Wherein Thy glory in her glory beamed. 
 
 We see, we sing the Lord's right hand extended 
 In her defence three hundred years ago, 
 
 When Spain and Rome their might and malice blended 
 Her spirit to enthrall, her realm bring low. 
 
 When on the Armada came with awe surrounded, • 
 In War's full pomp, in War's full terrors dressed ; 
 
 When back the Armada reeled, by fire confounded, 
 By raging winds and whelming waves oppressed. 
 
 One hundred years roll on : again awaketh 
 
 For the dear Fatherland like peril sore : 
 A tyrant on the throne her statutes breaketh ; 
 
 A Romish thrall assails her faith once more. 
 
 Behold the Lord's right hand again extended, 
 Her foes again in wondrous wise laid low, 
 
 Her liberty advanced, her faith defended, 
 Her lamp set high, two hundred years ago ! 
 
of Praise. 149 
 
 The traitor king cast forth and Rome defeated, 
 As when the foreign foe was forced to flee — 
 
 The well-combined victory repeated 
 
 Of Soul and Realm, of Truth and Liberty ! 
 
 But liker yet the amazing grace conferred 
 
 On those two wondrous years of His right hand — 
 
 Those years wherein our God the winds upstirred, 
 His mighty angels, to befriend our land ; 
 
 That year when wrathful blasts the foe assailed, 
 When whelming waves against the invader fought ; 
 
 That year when happy, speeding gales prevailed 
 And the glad land the great Deliverer brought. 
 
 Of many golden years we make glad mention j 
 The solemn centuries our awe command ; 
 
 But most we bless the years of her ascension, 
 But gladliest sing the years of His right hand. 
 1888. 
 
 c. 
 
 1888. 
 
 ENGLAND, stint not thankful wonder 
 
 At the grace this year recalls ; 
 Each divine deliverance ponder — 
 
 Keep the two great festivals ! 
 Thraldom Spanish, bondage Roman, 
 
 Triumph o'er the vanquished Tw r ain ; 
 Outcast tyrant, stricken foeman, 
 
 Let them wake a gladsome strain ! 
 
150 The Golden Chain 
 
 But as thou the joy renewest 
 
 Let not only Memory glow ; 
 As the glory thou reviewest 
 
 More than mirthful cheer bestow ! 
 Let the spirit then upstirred 
 
 Still thy thoughts, thy deeds inspire ! 
 Let the ascension then conferred 
 
 Kindle thee to climb yet higher ! 
 
 Doth not Truth upholden ask thee 
 
 Of her fulness still to take ? 
 Should not widened Freedom task thee 
 
 Yet more wide the bliss to make ? 
 Truth and Freedom, clasp them ever ! 
 
 Ne'er the blessed Twain divide ! 
 English freemen, dwindle never ! 
 
 Christ's own freemen still abide ! 
 
 Hold each rich bequest yet dearer ! 
 
 Hand down each bequest increased ! 
 To your Lord of Light draw nearer ! 
 
 Thrust aside the obscuring priest ! 
 Lord, Thy England's stature heighten ; 
 
 Make her inmost soul dilate ! 
 With a fuller daybreak brighten 
 
 Eighteen hundred eighty-eight ! 
 
 Year, a glorious Past back bringing, 
 Lead a glorious Future in ! 
 
 Year, of olden deeds loud singing, 
 For thyself a new song win ! 
 
iSSS. 
 
 of Praise. 151 
 
 Let the stream of England's glory 
 Widened, deepened, onward roll ! 
 
 Blend new brightness with her story ! 
 Lend new strength unto her soul ! 
 
 ci. 
 
 LUTHER'S BIRTHDAY. 
 
 (November iof/1, T483.J 
 
 THOU kindlest, Lord, Thy souls of light 
 The longest night to brighten ; 
 
 Thou sendest forth Thy men of might 
 The heaviest yoke to lighten : 
 
 Thy strength doth in their weakness dwell, 
 
 Their deeds of Thy indwelling tell ; 
 Thy smile their joy doth heighten. 
 
 The prophet in Thy strength arrayed, 
 What might can overpower him ? 
 
 The champion by Thine arm upstayed, 
 What foe shall triumph o'er him ? 
 
 What wrong so old, what woe so long, 
 
 What power so evil and so strong 
 That shall not fall before him ? 
 
 'Gainst such a power Thy Luther fought ; 
 
 On such a night he beamed, 
 So full Thy might in him that wrought, 
 
 Thy light from him that streamed : 
 By such a soul world-ruling Rome, 
 By such a soul fall'n Christendom 
 
 Was vanquished, was redeemed. 
 
152 The Golden Chain 
 
 The fulness of o'ercoming Faith 
 In that great heart Thou wokest, 
 
 The word that nations quickeneth 
 By that deep voice Thou spokest ; 
 
 The bonds o'er realms and spirits cast, 
 
 The bonds that ages had made fast 
 By that strong hand Thou brokest. 
 
 The pardon-sale his spirit wrung, 
 
 The relic-mart he mourned, 
 Against the sin his wrath he flung, 
 
 Alone the shame he spurned : 
 Against the world stood forth one man ; 
 He heeded not the Caesar's ban; 
 
 The Pontiff's bull he burned. 
 
 That fire, from land to land it spread, 
 All-conquering, all-consuming ; 
 
 On Luther's glowing spirit sped, 
 All-quickening, all-illuming : 
 
 Again glad souls to Heaven upsoared, 
 
 Again the deeps of grace explored, 
 Nor recked the Pontiff's dooming. 
 
 This day, glad souls, draw nigh, aspire ! 
 
 Rejoice o'er fetters riven ! 
 Make trial of your wings — require 
 
 Each gift with Luther given ! 
 His faith express, his Lord adore, 
 Triumphant sing, triumphant soar ! 
 
 Possess a present Heaven ! 
 
 1883. 
 
of Praise. 153 
 
 en. 
 
 THE FREEMEN OF CHRIST. 
 
 " Stand fast in the freedom wherewith Christ has made 
 you free" 
 
 (November 10th, 1883 J 
 
 FREEMEN of Christ, be glad this day, 
 Glad without stint or measure ; 
 
 The greatness of the gift survey, 
 The fulness of the pleasure ! 
 
 Recall the deeds by Luther done — 
 
 Enjoy the grace through Luther won — 
 Hold fast the priceless treasure. 
 
 The fulness of the Spirit's grace 
 
 On you is sweetly streaming ; 
 The sunshine of the Saviour's face 
 
 On you is brightly beaming. 
 Shall priests withdraw your gaze from Him ? 
 Shall forms and gauds and idols dim 
 
 The smile of Love Redeeming ? 
 
 The frauds, the fables Luther spurned, 
 
 Shall they again possess you ? 
 The blocks, the barriers he o'erturned, 
 
 Shall they again distress you ? 
 The baleful power, the grievous yoke 
 Which Luther smote, which Luther broke, 
 
 Shall they again oppress you ? 
 
154 The Golden Chain 
 
 That baleful power, withstand it still ! 
 
 That yoke, resume it never ! 
 Your mighty Luther's work fulfil — 
 
 Uphold, advance it ever ! 
 Freemen of Christ, live always free ! 
 Enjoy your glorious liberty — 
 
 Adore the gracious Giver ! 
 1883. 
 
 cm. 
 THE FALL OF BABYLON. 
 
 " Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great." 
 
 " Rejoice over her, thou Heaven, and ye holy apostles and 
 prophets. v 
 
 THE Lord sends forth His dooming voice 
 
 And waves His dreadful sword ; 
 Be glad, ye people of His choice, 
 
 With your avenging Lord ! 
 
 Smile as His righteous doom doth light 
 
 On some long-spared foe ! 
 Sing as His flaming sword doth smite 
 
 And lay some tyrant low ! 
 
 But now your gladdest songs ring forth, 
 
 Your brightest robes put on ! 
 Let loose the fulness of your mirth 
 
 O'er fallen Babylon ! 
 
 Hark how each angel lends His voice 
 
 To help the joy divine ! 
 With the rejoicing Heavens rejoice ! 
 
 The song angelic join ! 
 
of Praise, 155 
 
 Remember all her idols brought 
 
 Within the sacred doors ; 
 Remember all the sin she wrought 
 
 With royal paramours. 
 
 Remember how His truth divine 
 
 She hid with lying lore, 
 Remember how with deadly wine 
 
 Her golden cup ran o'er. 
 
 Remember how she spread abroad 
 
 O'er earth her darkness drear, 
 And staggered, drunken with the blood 
 
 Of Jesu's martyrs dear ! 
 
 Behold her now nor triumph spare ; 
 
 Enjoy her fallen estate j 
 Sing as her lovers strip her bare 
 
 And make her desolate ! 
 
 Smile o'er her broken golden cup, 
 
 Her royal purple torn : 
 Sing as her withered arm lets drop 
 
 The sword once deadly borne : 
 
 Behold the smiter smitten sore, 
 
 The doomer doomed to die, 
 And in her overthrow adore 
 
 Your Lord's own Victory. 
 
 Ye saints below, ye saints above, 
 
 Mingle each dear delight : 
 Be glad in His redeeming love, 
 
 In His avenging might ! 
 
156 The Golden Chain 
 
 Sing how the Lord hath heard your cry, 
 
 And forth His glory shown ; 
 Yes, join the triumph of the sky 
 
 O'er fallen Babylon ! 
 1864. 
 
 civ. 
 
 HALLELUJAH. 
 
 " Hallelujah ! Salvation and glory and honour and 
 power unto the Lord our God. For true and righteous 
 are His judgments ; for He hath judged the great 
 ivhore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, 
 and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her 
 hand. And again, they said, Hallelujah" 
 
 HOW Thy saints rejoice before Thee, 
 
 God of justice and of grace ! 
 With what triumph they adore Thee, 
 
 With what transport speak Thy praise ! 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 True and righteous are Thy ways. 
 
 Thou the mighty whore hast doomed 
 
 Who defiled the earth of yore : 
 Thou her splendour hast consumed : 
 
 Thou her strength hast smitten sore : 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 Low she lies to rise no more. 
 
 All her sins hast Thou regarded, 
 All in Thy remembrance stored ; 
 
 All her sins hast Thou rewarded ; 
 All Thy plagues on her hast poured. 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 Art Thou not the righteous Lord ? 
 
1865. 
 
 of Praise. 157 
 
 She a deadly cup hath brewed, 
 
 She a deadly cup hath drained, 
 Countless woes hath she renewed ; 
 
 Countless woes hath she sustained. 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 Wrath divine hath on her rained. 
 
 Thou her lovers hast estranged, 
 
 Hast with hate their hearts inspired, 
 
 Thou Thy people hast avenged, 
 At her hand their blood required. 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 Dawns the day so long desired. 
 
 Naked and forlorn she dieth 
 
 Who in gold and purple shone : 
 She who vexed the earth, low lieth, 
 
 She who slew the saints is gone. 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 Fallen, fallen is Babylon. 
 
 cv 
 
 NATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL. 
 
 "Praise the Lord, all ye ?i a lions. Praise the Lord, 
 O my so 11 IP 
 
 NOW to the one Almighty King 
 
 Be a new song begun ! 
 A mighty strain, ye nations, bring, 
 
 For greatly hath He done. 
 
158 The Golden Chain 
 
 Tell of Jehovah's going forth, 
 The world's confounded powers, 
 
 This stricken, trembling, reeling earth, 
 These wondrous, awful hours ! 
 
 Sing how He takes away the crown 
 And breaks the brimming cup ! 
 
 Sing how He casts the mighty down 
 And lifts the lowly up ! 
 
 How black the tempest-laden skies ! 
 
 How dread the thunder-tones ! 
 All terrible the nations rise 
 
 And headlong fall the thrones. 
 
 O that the stricken world might cry, 
 " The Lord hath been abroad," 
 
 And nobler nations glorify 
 Their own renewing God ! 
 
 Yet, if the nations will not learn 
 His judgments and His ways, 
 
 Thou soul of mine, His hand discern ! 
 My soul, declare His praise ! 
 
 Sing how in them, in thee shines forth 
 The glory of His name ! 
 
 Tell of His judgments in the earth ! 
 His grace to thee proclaim ! 
 
 He bursteth on thy careless hour ; 
 
 He takes thy mirth away ; 
 Down cometh His renewing power ; 
 
 How shall thine evil stay ? 
 
1 849. 
 
 of Praise. 159 
 
 Sing, sing each glorious victory 
 
 Thine own Deliverer wins ; 
 Sing how He makes thy tyrants flee ! 
 
 Sing how He slays thy sins ! 
 
 Sing how from all He sets thee free 
 
 To take thee for His own, 
 And graciously builds up in thee 
 
 His everlasting throne ! 
 
 CVI. 
 
 THE HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 ( Whitsunday.) 
 
 DAY divine ! when sudden streaming 
 
 To the Lord's first lovers came, 
 Glory new and treasure teeming, 
 
 Mighty gifts and tongues of flame ! 
 Day to happy souls commended 
 
 When the Holy Ghost was given, 
 When the Comforter descended 
 
 And brought down the joy of Heaven ! 
 
 Lord ! to-day Thy people learneth 
 
 No past wonder, no strange tale ; 
 Lord ! to-day Thy people yearneth 
 
 Here the Holy Ghost to hail ! 
 O'er again to write this story 
 
 Our weak trembling souls aspire ; 
 Unto us may come the glory — 
 
 Full on us may fall the fire ! 
 
160 The Golden Chain 
 
 Hath the Holy Ghost been holden 
 
 By those ancient saints alone ? 
 Only may the ages olden 
 
 Call the Comforter their own ? 
 Ah ! their portion we inherit, 
 
 Ours the sorrow, ours the sin ! 
 We beseech the Holy Spirit — 
 
 We the Comforter would win. 
 
 1850. 
 
 CVII. 
 
 THE SPIRIT'S BEST GIFTS. 
 
 WOULD the Spirit more completely 
 
 Make abode with saints of old ? 
 Would the Comforter more sweetly 
 
 Thy first lovers, Lord, enfold ? 
 Wonders we may not inherit ; 
 
 Signs and tongues we do not crave ; 
 Yet we still receive the Spirit — 
 
 Still the Comforter we have. 
 
 Still are given His gifts most precious ; 
 
 Open lies His richest store — 
 We may win His grace most gracious — 
 
 We His deepest deep explore ! 
 Signs most glorious, all excelling, 
 
 Witness brightest we may show ; 
 Sure the Holy Ghost is dwelling 
 
 With the souls that holier grow. 
 
 Hope that makes ashamed never — 
 Perfect Peace that passeth thought — 
 
 Mighty joy that stayeth ever — 
 Love divine that changeth not ; — 
 
IS50. 
 
 of Praise. 16: 
 
 Such the gifts that still are given — 
 
 Such the glory we may boast ; 
 Help us, Lord, to this pure Heaven — 
 
 Breathe on us the Holy Ghost. 
 
 CVIII. 
 
 THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 HOLY Spirit ! dwell with me ! 
 
 Glorify this humble home ! 
 Meet again mortality — 
 
 To another temple come ! 
 
 Holy Spirit ! forth from me ! 
 
 Sweetly forth — ah not away ! 
 Kept Thou may'st, yet given be ; 
 
 Mighty go, yet mighty stay. 
 
 Spirit that with me dost dwell, 
 
 Make Thy presence richly known ! 
 
 Holy deeds send forth to tell 
 Of the bright communion ! 
 
 Peaceful Spirit ! hath the soul 
 
 Where Thy voice so sweet doth sound, 
 
 Of Thy mighty music full, 
 
 Ears to hear the roar around ? 
 
 Cheerful Spirit ! where but here, 
 In this happy home of Thine, 
 
 Floweth on such gladsome cheer ? 
 Ever fresh the feast divine. 
 
 u 
 
1 62 The Golden Chain 
 
 Holy Spirit ! give not o'er ; 
 
 Leave not, leave not hallowing me, 
 Me Thy temple evermore ; 
 
 Mine Thine own Eternity ! 
 
 1847. 
 
 cix. 
 THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT. 
 
 BRIGHT Presence ! may my soul have part 
 
 In those sweet beams of Thine ? 
 Lord ! soundeth in mine inmost heart 
 
 Thy very Voice Divine ? 
 Yes, Lord, with Thee I may partake ; 
 
 To me Thou wilt repair, 
 This soul wilt cheer and warm and wake, 
 
 The Spirit's witness there ! 
 
 In holy tasks, in noble pain 
 
 My soul this comfort hath : 
 The amazed world exclaims in vain ; 
 
 The Spirit witnesseth. 
 To break my peace the tumult seeks ; 
 
 I have no ears to hear ; 
 So mightily the Spirit speaks, 
 
 So sweetly fills mine ear. 
 
 Alas, my Lord ! that Sense and Sin 
 
 To tempt this soul should dare, 
 That Thine own foes should audience win, 
 
 The Spirit's witness there ! 
 He speaketh oft, He warneth clear, 
 
 He witnesseth in vain : 
 Repent, sad Soul, if thou wouldst hear 
 
 The Voice Divine again ! 
 
of Praise. 163 
 
 Glad Soul ! art thou ashamed to smile? 
 
 Of gladness hast thou fear ? 
 Thou may'st enjoy thy golden while, 
 
 Yes, boldly take thy cheer : 
 Each glorious hour thou may'st renew 
 
 In thine own bower of bliss ; 
 
 ! sweet and strong the joy whereto 
 The Spirit witnesses ! 
 
 Alas ! do subtle foes conspire 
 
 To darken my soul's day, 
 To quench the bright celestial fire, 
 
 And take my Lord away ? 
 
 1 need not seek o'er all the earth 
 Wherewith to guard my faith ; 
 
 A champion near and strong springs forth ; 
 The Spirit witnesseth. 
 
 My Father ! when Thy child delights 
 
 To feel himself Thine own, 
 And others would deny his rights 
 
 And thrust him from Thy Throne ; 
 I still draw near, I still rejoice, 
 
 Thy child doth nothing care 
 If to his claim Thy Spirit's voice 
 
 Its witness sweet doth bear. 
 
 O ! that this voice my soul did stir 
 
 Nor make it sadly start ! 
 O ! that Thy Spirit oftener 
 
 Bore witness with my heart ! 
 O ! that His gracious, awful voice 
 
 More swiftly caught mine ear ! 
 O ! that I always could rejoice 
 
 His witness, Lord, to hear ! 
 
164 The Golden Chain 
 
 One day the joy may fully come, 
 
 The music may be mine ; 
 O ! ever in the Heavenly Home 
 
 Sweet sounds the Voice Divine. 
 To each desire, to each delight, 
 
 " Yes," " Yes," it sweetly saith ; 
 Smile on, sing on, ye Angels Bright ! 
 
 The Spirit witnesseth. 
 1849. 
 
 ex. 
 
 " 7 he Earnest of the Spirit:' 
 
 WHY hasteth on this pilgrim throng 
 
 As burthened with no cares ? 
 These lowly souls — why swells their song 
 
 As though the world was theirs ? 
 
 What can their happy fulness crave ? 
 
 Where can their wishes rove ? 
 Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, they have, 
 
 The Earnest of Thy love. 
 
 They needs must rest in glorious things 
 
 With whom the Spirit dwells ; 
 Sweet messages the Spirit brings, 
 
 Great news the Spirit tells. 
 
 Lord ! if Thy gracious voice divine 
 
 One whisper sweet lets fall, 
 They know that Thou hast made them Thine, 
 
 That Thou hast given them all. 
 
 
[850. 
 
 of Praise. 165 
 
 O ! if the Lord Himself hath given, 
 
 All else they know must come — 
 The shining thrones, the blissful heaven, 
 
 The everlasting home. 
 
 Lord ! may not I these tidings hear ? 
 
 These messages receive? 
 Assure my soul that she is dear — 
 
 To me the Spirit give. 
 
 Teach me no other prayer to lift, 
 
 No other boon to crave ; 
 Mine all Thy grace, mine every gift, 
 
 If I the Earnest have. 
 
 Take all Thine other gifts away, 
 
 But do not Thou remove ; 
 All things remain, if with me stay 
 
 This Earnest of Thy love. 
 
 CXI. 
 
 st. david's. 
 " Grieve not the Holy Spirit." 
 
 LORD ! am I precious in Thy sight ? 
 
 Lord ! would'st Thou have me Thine ? 
 What ! may I grieve, may I delight 
 
 The Majesty Divine ? 
 
 Dost Thou so sweetly urge and press 
 
 My soul Thy heaven to win ? 
 Lord ! dost Thou love my faithfulness ? 
 
 Lord ! dost Thou hate my sin ? 
 
1 66 The Golden Chain 
 
 O Holy Spirit ! dost Thou mourn 
 When I from Thee depart ? 
 
 Dost Thou rejoice when I return 
 And give Thee back my heart ? 
 
 O sweet, strange height of Grace Divine 
 My sin Thy grief to make. 
 
 And this poor faithfulness of mine 
 For Thy delight to take ! 
 
 Strange height of sin to spurn the love 
 That yearns to make me blest, 
 
 And drive away the Heavenly Dove 
 That fain would be my guest ! 
 
 O happy Heaven where Thine embrace 
 
 I never more shall leave, 
 Nor ever cast away Thy grace, 
 
 Nor once Thy Spirit grieve ! 
 
 Let me, dear Lord, each grace possess 
 
 That makes Thy Heaven more bright, 
 And bring the humble holiness 
 That gives my God delight. 
 1850. 
 
 CXII. 
 
 BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST 
 
 WHAT joy in spirits pure and high 
 The Holy Ghost to greet, 
 
 To welcome in their sanctity 
 
 His workings strong and sweet — 
 
of Praise. i6y 
 
 In souls with love and ruth astir 
 
 To feel His tender breath 
 And from each gracious deed infer 
 
 His grace who halloweth — 
 
 In truth and goodness to behold 
 
 His blessed beams forth shine, 
 And mark how holy lives unfold 
 
 The Hallower Divine ! 
 
 O joy of joys His work to trace, 
 
 His presence to discern, 
 To tell the wideness of His grace, 
 
 To spread the lore we learn ! 
 
 O sin of sins from souls of light 
 
 In gloomy wrath to shrink, 
 Of works of love and acts of right 
 
 Perversely to misthink — 
 
 To scan good deeds with evil eye 
 
 And brand with evil name, 
 The Spirit's witness to belie, 
 
 The Holy Ghost defame — 
 
 His gifts, His workings manifest 
 
 To mark and misbestow ; 
 To take them from the Spirit blest 
 
 And give them to the foe ! 
 
 Lord, keep us from this sin of sins 
 
 That grieved most Thy Son, 
 The guilt that no forgiveness wins, 
 
 That speaks the soul undone ! 
 
1 68 The Golden Chain 
 
 O make us glad Thy Spirit's might 
 In righteous souls to trace, 
 
 In love and goodness to delight 
 As in His very grace — 
 
 To reckon every thing of cost 
 
 As what from Him proceeds, 
 And gather for the Holy Ghost 
 The praise of all good deeds. 
 1893. 
 
 CXIII. 
 
 THE SPIRITS DEALINGS WITH THE 
 HEART. 
 
 SWEET Spirit ! would Thy Breath Divine 
 O'er a void waste all fragrant blow ? 
 
 Bright Presence ! would that fire of Thine 
 All lonely in Thy temple glow ? 
 
 Thou dost not sure an empty heart 
 For Thy dear dwelling-place desire ; 
 
 To glorify Thy holy art 
 
 Thou dost a peopled realm require. 
 
 O sternly all the robbers chase, 
 
 But give the dwellers leave to stay : 
 
 Unpeople not the yielded place 
 Nor all its treasure cast away. 
 
 The taken treasure-house explore 
 With Thine all-searching fire divine : 
 
 And put upon the dross-blent store 
 The glory of Thy gold most fine. 
 
of Praise. 169 
 
 O teach the conquered realm Thy law, 
 
 Each passion 'neath Thy sweet sway bring ; 
 
 From each dark depth Thy glory draw — 
 From each dull chord Thy music ring ! 
 
 Each mounting thought, each strong desire 
 Help on Thy heavenly wings to rise, 
 
 And light in hearts with love on fire 
 Thine own pure flame that never dies. 
 
 O teach our wrath the holy glow 
 
 Wherewith Thine awful anger burns, 
 
 And make our grovelling sorrow know 
 How gloriously the Spirit mourns ! 
 
 O lend our hope's dim, dying light 
 The steadfast glory of Thy flame, 
 
 And grant our joy, divinely bright, 
 The witness of Thy smile to claim. 
 
 Take all this heart, its wealth, its powers, 
 Its yearnings soft, its longings high, 
 
 Its bleeding wounds, its golden hours, 
 And on them all Thy sweet skill try. 
 
 O breathe on them Thy breath divine ! 
 O steep them in Thy heavenly glow ! 
 Nor let one smile unhallowed shine, 
 Nor let one tear unhallowed flow. 
 1854. 
 
jo The Golden Chain 
 
 CXIV. 
 
 PERVADING INSPIRATION. 
 
 LORD ! when we come at Thy dear call, 
 
 Our scanty store we bring ; 
 Sweet Spirit ! Thou dost ask our all 
 
 For Thine own hallowing. 
 
 We need not ask of our right hand 
 
 Its cunning to forget ; 
 May not it move at Thy command ? 
 
 Hast not Thou tasks to set ? 
 
 Why need we, Lord, our hearts deny ? 
 
 Why bid our love begone ? 
 The Heavenly Dove comes down to try 
 
 His own sweet skill thereon. 
 
 Why should our minds repent their pains, 
 
 Unlearn their little lore ? 
 Spirit of Truth ! advance their gains j 
 
 Mingle Thine own bright store. 
 
 Our tender tears we need not hide, 
 
 Our yearnings deep reprove ; 
 Teach us a glorious grief allied 
 
 To Thine, sin-vexed Dove ! 
 
 We need not dread our golden while, 
 Nor shun each Blissful Bower ; 
 
 Bright Presence ! bless it with Thy smile ! 
 Make it Thine own sweet hour ! 
 
iS54- 
 
 of Praise. 1 7 1 
 
 For us no height, for us no deep 
 Whereon Thou may'st not shine ; 
 
 O Spirit sweet ! Thou would'st not keep 
 From us one gift divine. 
 
 cxv. 
 THE HELPFUL SPIRIT. 
 
 The Spirit also Helpeth our Infirmities." 
 
 ALAS these pilgrims faint and worn ! 
 
 Alas this Vale of Tears ! 
 These sinners sore who sink and mourn 
 
 Through the long mortal years ! 
 
 Behold this Garden of the Lord, 
 These guests in raiment bright ! 
 
 This beauty hath the Spirit poured, 
 Hath made that darkness light. 
 
 O faithless souls that dwelt apart ; 
 
 Ah lifeless, loveless throng ! 
 No fire within each joyless heart — 
 
 Dull, dull, each formal tongue ! 
 
 Behold these brethren dear ! enquire 
 How hath this sweetness grown ! 
 
 The Spirit sets their souls on fire ; 
 The Spirit makes them one. 
 
 Kneel with this prayerful company, 
 Join, join these cheerful songs ! 
 
 The Spirit breathes this harmony, 
 The Spirit tunes these tongues. 
 
72 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ah ! weaklings vain who faintly wrought, 
 Who soon the strife gave o'er, 
 
 Who no sweet gift the brethren brought, 
 The Lord no tribute bore ! 
 
 The Spirit pours the lavish love 
 
 Of this gift-bearing throng ; 
 These linked hands that mountains move, 
 
 The Spirit makes them strong. 
 
 He leadeth forth His mighty host, 
 He mingleth in the fight ; 
 
 O ! army of the Holy Ghost, 
 
 What can withstand your might ? 
 
 Ah souls their veiled Heaven that mourned ! 
 
 Ah glory faint and dim ! 
 Ah tearful eyes that vainly yearned ! 
 
 Ah distant Seraphim ! 
 
 Blest souls that here Heaven's glory greet, 
 That now Heaven's rapture feel ! 
 
 The Spirit brings this earnest sweet, 
 The Spirit sets His seal. 
 
 For you the fulness of His cheer, 
 
 The fulness of His love ! 
 Ye saints, be mighty in Him here ! 
 Soar on His wings above ! 
 1854. 
 
 
of Praise. 173 
 
 ex VI. 
 THE DIVINE HALLOWER. 
 
 LORD ! is it so? art Thou indeed 
 
 Our own Indwelling God ? 
 May men in us Thy presence read, 
 
 Discover Thine abode ? 
 
 How may that Presence Bright appear, 
 That dwelling-place be known ? 
 
 What speaks the Holy Spirit here ? 
 A holy life alone. 
 
 Ah ! idly heedless babblers boast 
 
 The bliss of being Thine : 
 Lord ! art Thou not the Holy Ghost, 
 
 The Hallower Divine ? 
 
 Thou dwellest not where sin doth dwell, 
 Where darkness doth abide ; 
 
 Thou stirrest not in hearts that swell 
 With wrath, with lust, with pride. 
 
 Thou dwellest in the souls alone 
 
 That holily aspire ; 
 Thou kindlest in each contrite one 
 
 A sin-consuming fire. 
 
 Thou striveth in the strife wherein 
 
 The foe is made to flee ; 
 Thou stirrest in the stir to win 
 
 For Right the victory. 
 
 
74 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thou yearnest in the hearts that yearn 
 Mankind to help and bless ; 
 
 Thou burnest in the souls that burn 
 For Truth and Righteousness. 
 
 Burn stronglier in us, Holy Ghost, 
 
 Our every sin consume ! 
 Make every day a Pentecost — 
 
 Yes, all our life illume ! 
 1892. 
 
 CXVII. 
 
 THE JOY OF THE HOLY GHOST. 
 
 SWEET Spirit, Bringer of best things, 
 
 Of life, of light, of love ; 
 What gladness from Thy presence springs ! 
 
 What songs Thy might doth move ! 
 
 How blissful sick souls hallowed 
 
 The Hallower doth make ! 
 What joy in dead souls quickened 
 
 The Quickener doth wake ! 
 
 Renewing Lord ! what plenitude 
 
 Of gladness dost Thou bring ! 
 The rapture of the soul renewed 
 
 Is as the joy of spring. 
 
 As blooms and glows the happy earth 
 So she doth bloom and shine ; 
 
 The fulness of that vernal mirth 
 Yields, happy soul, to thine. 
 
of Praise. 1 75 
 
 Of thy new birth the wondrous tale 
 
 Melodious forth doth roll ; 
 As singeth the glad nightingale 
 
 So singeth the glad soul. 
 
 Sweet Hallower ! what bliss is given 
 
 Like that by Thee bestowed ? 
 The bliss of harmony with Heaven, 
 
 Of fellowship with God — 
 
 The blissful sense of Heavenly Love, 
 
 Blent with all other bliss ; 
 The glory of the home above 
 
 Uplifting, brightening this ? 
 
 Life-giving, hallowing Spirit blest ! 
 
 Who gladdeneth like Thee? 
 Yes, brightest, fullest, happiest 
 
 Each hallowed soul should be. 
 
 189: 
 
 CXVIII. 
 
 A BREATHING AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 O HOLY Ghost who down dost come 
 To make each contrite heart Thy home, 
 On me descend ! within me dwell, 
 My soul renew, my sin expel ! 
 
 Spirit of Truth who makest bright 
 All souls that long for heavenly light, 
 Appear and on my darkness shine ! 
 Descend and be my Guide Divine ! 
 
176 The Golden Chain 
 
 Spirit of power whose might doth dwell 
 Full in the souls Thou lovest well, 
 Unto this fainting heart draw near 
 And be my daily Quickener ! 
 
 Spirit of joy who makest glad 
 Each broken heart by sin made sad, 
 Pour on this mourning soul Thy cheer ; 
 Give me to bless my Comforter ! 
 
 O tender Spirit who dost mourn 
 Whene'er from Thee Thy people turn, 
 Give me each day to grieve Thee less : 
 Enjoy my fuller faithfulness ! 
 
 Come mightier down ! Thyself impart 
 More largely to this longing heart ; 
 My Comforter more dearly be ; 
 More sweetly guide and hallow me : 
 
 Till Thou shalt make me meet to bear 
 The sweetness of Heaven's holy air, 
 The light wherein no darkness is, 
 The eternal, overflowing bliss ! 
 1863. 
 
 CXIX. 
 
 THE QUELLING AND QUICKENING SPIRIT. 
 
 QUELLER of pride, of wrath, of wrong, 
 Quickener of love, of truth, of right, 
 O Spirit sweet ! O Spirit strong ! 
 Thy twofold work in us unite. 
 
1892. 
 
 of Praise. 177 
 
 Thou wagest war, Thou smitest sin, 
 Thou bringest foes and strongholds low ; 
 A conqueror Thou comest in, 
 But not alone to overthrow. 
 
 Through realms rebellious Thou dost sweep, 
 A northern blast, a mighty storm ; 
 Each yielded region Thou dost steep 
 In balm of south-wind, soft and warm. 
 
 Each wasted land that Thou dost win 
 Thou makest flowery, fruitful, fair ; 
 Thou bringest peace and plenty in, 
 Life, light and love enthronest there. 
 
 What bliss upon Thy reign attends ! 
 Each subject soul how glad, how free ! 
 The sweetness of Thy sway commends 
 The fulness of Thy victory. 
 
 Come, Spirit strong ! come, Spirit sweet ! 
 Our sins o'erthrow, Thy life instil ! 
 O'er us Thy victory complete, 
 In us Thy blissful sway fulfil ! 
 
 cxx. 
 DAILY RENEWAL. 
 
 LEAVE me not, leave me not alone, 
 
 Thou Spirit strong and sweet ! 
 Work on till I am all Thine own — 
 Thy hallowing grace repeat. 
 
 12 
 
yS The Golden Chain 
 
 Stint not Thy visits, Guest Divine ! 
 
 Each day I need them still : 
 Stay not that shaping hand of Thine- 
 
 The wondrous work fulfil ! 
 
 My sins resume the fight, would fain 
 Win back this heart from Thee : 
 
 Thy foes repel, Thy spoil retain, 
 Repeat Thy victory ! 
 
 Once by Thy help I overthrew 
 The World, the Fiend, the Flesh ; 
 
 Wilt Thou not strengthen me anew 
 And vanquish them afresh ? 
 
 Thou who didst once this soul renew 
 Still Thy sweet skill essay ; 
 
 Through all my life the work pursue : 
 Renew me every day ! 
 
 Each day I slip, each day I roam, 
 Each day I faint and tire ; 
 
 Wilt Thou not every day o'ercome 
 And every day inspire ? 
 
 Leave me not, leave me not alone, 
 Thou Spirit strong and sweet ! 
 
 Work on till I am all Thine own — 
 Thy hallowing grace repeat ! 
 1871. 
 
of Praise. 179 
 
 CXXI. 
 
 THE ENLIVENING AND ENLIGHTENING SPIRIT. 
 
 SWEET Spirit ! in our various need 
 
 Is not Thy fulness nigh ? 
 Doth not Thy teeming store exceed 
 
 Our deep necessity ? 
 
 How faint this hope, how weak this faith, 
 
 How cold this love of ours ! 
 How mighty Thine enlivening breath ! 
 
 How strong Thy quickening powers ! 
 
 These pilgrims in the world brought low 
 That quickening power invoke ; 
 
 Of that enlivening breath bestow 
 On Thy faint, faltering folk ! 
 
 Enliven our dull sense of sin, 
 
 Thou Quickener Divine ! 
 Our souls unto meet sorrow wan 
 
 By that sweet grief of Thine. 
 
 Enliven into gladsome speed 
 
 Our halting quest of Right ; 
 And turn each nobly tasking need 
 
 To a divine delight ! 
 
 Enliven all the steep ascent 
 
 Into a w r alk with God ! 
 And keep our early joy unspent 
 
 Along the heavenward road. 
 
180 The Golden Chain 
 
 Enliven hope of bliss to be 
 Into a present Heaven, 
 
 And let Thine own eternity 
 To each pure joy be given ! 
 
 But help these weaklings not alone 
 With Thine enlivening might ; 
 
 Enlightening Spirit, lend Thine own 
 The fulness of Thy light ! 
 
 Reveal the realm of Truth ; inspire 
 Our minds that realm to hold ; 
 
 Our every faculty require, 
 Our every power unfold ! 
 
 The eye of Reason make more bright, 
 
 The things of God more nigh ; 
 And teach a pure celestial flight 
 
 To soaring Phantasy ! 
 
 To Thought new depth, new wideness lend — 
 
 Enlarge, illume our lore ! 
 Help us more surely to ascend, 
 
 More amply to explore. 
 
 Our quest of Truth, our quest of Right, 
 
 Sweet Spirit, still attend ! 
 With Thine enlightening beams so bright 
 
 Thy breath enlivening blend ! 
 
of Praise. 1 8 1 
 
 cxxn. 
 THE HEAVENLY DOVE. 
 
 " O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee 
 away and be at rest." (Psalm lv. 6.) " The Spirit 
 descending like a DoveT (Matthew iii. 16.) 
 
 O SMITTEN soul that cares and conflicts wring, 
 O fainting heart that burdens sore oppress ; 
 What glory gleameth from each gladsome wing ! 
 What sweetness wrappeth the still wilderness ! 
 
 Thou mournest o'er the radiant wings denied ; 
 Thou yearnest for the Happy Isles afar ; 
 Fain on the dove's soft pinion would'st thou glide, 
 And win sweet peace from the calm, desert air. 
 
 These yearnings bright ! O vainly are they stirred? 
 These golden dreams ! for nothing do they come ? 
 Ah ! woos thee mockingly each soaring bird ? 
 Ah ! vainly calleth thee some smiling home? 
 
 Unbounded heart ! thou shapest bright desires, 
 Yet richlier hath thy Heavenly Lover wrought : 
 Yes, more than all each golden dream requires 
 Preventing Grace hath in sweet fulness brought. 
 
 What needs this envy of the swift-winged dove, 
 This quest of deserts that no cheer may make, 
 When the sweet Spirit leaves His home above, 
 When I, bright Dove Divine, Thy wings may take? 
 
1 82 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thou bringest me the branch of Heavenly peace 
 'Midst winds that roar, and waters that would whelm, 
 And steepest me, here on the stormy seas, 
 In the deep stillness of Thine own bright realm. 
 
 Thou com'st not near, sweet Dove, with fleeting beam 
 And hasty wing to mock my sad estate ; 
 Still over me those glorious pinions gleam ; 
 Still, still for me those tender wings do wait. 
 
 Dove Divine ! no more the captive sighs, 
 The weary soul pours forth no bootless prayer ; 
 
 1 breathe the quiet of Thine own soft skies ; 
 
 I drink the fragrance of Thine own sweet air. 
 1854. 
 
 CXXIII. 
 
 THE DIVINE RE NEWER. 
 
 " Thou renewest the face of the earth." " Be reneived in 
 the spirit of your mind." 
 
 THE glory of the spring how sweet ! 
 
 The newborn life how glad ! 
 What joy the happy earth to greet 
 
 In new, bright raiment clad ; 
 
 The blessed vernal airs to hail 
 
 In their renewing power, 
 The new song of each nightingale, 
 
 The new birth of each flower ! 
 
 Divine Renewer ! Thee I bless ; 
 
 I greet Thy going forth : 
 I love Thee in the loveliness 
 
 Of Thy renewed earth. 
 
 
of Praise. 183 
 
 But O ! these wonders of Thy grace, 
 
 These nobler works of Thine, 
 These marvels sweeter far to trace, 
 
 These new-births more divine ! 
 
 These sinful souls Thou hallowest, 
 These hearts Thou makest new, 
 
 These mourning souls by Thee made blest, 
 These faithless hearts made true : 
 
 This new-born glow of faith so strong, 
 This bloom of love so fair ; 
 
 This new-born ecstasy of song 
 And fragrancy of prayer ! 
 
 Creator Spirit, work in me 
 
 These wonders sweet of Thine ! 
 
 Divine Renewer, graciously 
 Renew this heart of mine ! 
 
 Grant me the grace of the New Birth, 
 The joy of the New Song ! 
 
 The vernal bloom, the vernal mirth 
 In my new heart prolong ! 
 
 1867. 
 
 Still let new life and strength upspring, 
 
 Still let new joy be given ! 
 And grant the glad new song to ring 
 
 Through the new earth and Heaven ! 
 
184 The Golden Chain 
 
 cxxiv. 
 
 THE UNCHANGING RE NEWER. 
 
 " ImnnitabiliSy mutans omnia." 
 
 AUGUSTINE. 
 
 LORD GOD ! by whom all change is wrought. 
 By whom new things to birth are brought, 
 
 In whom no change is known : 
 Whate'er Thou dost, whate'er Thou art, 
 Thy people still in Thee have part ; 
 
 Still, still Thou art our own. 
 
 Ancient of Days ! we dwell in Thee ; 
 Out of Thine own eternity 
 
 Our peace and joy are wrought : 
 We rest in our Eternal God 
 And make secure and sweet abode 
 
 With Thee who changest not. 
 
 Each steadfast promise we possess ; 
 Thine everlasting truth we bless, 
 
 Thine everlasting love : 
 The unfailing Helper close we clasp ; 
 The^everlasting arms we grasp, 
 
 Nor from the refuge move. 
 
 Spirit who makest all things new ! 
 Thou leadest onward ; we pursue 
 
 The heavenly march sublime : 
 With Thy renewing fire we glow, 
 And still from strength to strength we go, 
 
 From height to height we climb. 
 
1869. 
 
 of Praise. 185 
 
 Darkness and dread we leave behind ; 
 New light, new glory still we find, 
 
 New realms divine possess. 
 New Births of Grace new raptures bring ; 
 Triumphant the new song we sing, 
 
 The Great Renewer bless. 
 
 To Thee we rise, in Thee we rest ; 
 We stay at home, we go in quest. 
 
 Still Thou art our abode ; 
 The rapture swells, the wonder grows, 
 As full on us new life still flows 
 
 From our unchanging God. 
 
 cxxv. 
 THINGS NEW AND OLD. 
 
 OUR fulness, Lord, Thou askest 
 
 Thy fulness to express ; 
 Each faculty Thou taskest, 
 
 Each feeling wouldst possess. 
 We bring Thee our fresh wonder, 
 
 Our steadfast trust we bring ; 
 Thy marvels old we ponder ; 
 
 Thy wonders new we sing. 
 
 We trace Thee through the ages ; 
 
 What lore divine they yield ! 
 We learn of saints and sages 
 
 The truth to them revealed. 
 Nor hast Thou, Lord, withholden 
 
 From us Thy Spirit's lore : 
 We cleave to what is olden ; 
 
 To what is new we soar. 
 
 _ 
 
1 86 The Golden Chain 
 
 New things the Spirit speaketh, 
 
 Glad news the Spirit brings ; 
 New glory on us breaketh, 
 
 New joy within us springs. 
 We live the life new-breathed, 
 
 We hail the light new-born ; 
 Nor lose the lore bequeathed, 
 
 Nor truth transmitted scorn. 
 
 Our fathers' faith we bring Thee, 
 
 Our fathers' work pursue ; 
 Our fathers' songs we sing Thee : 
 
 But more than this is due. 
 With treasure of their storing 
 
 Some newer gold we blend ; 
 With strains of their outpouring 
 
 Our own new songs ascend. 
 
 1889. 
 
 cxxvi. 
 DIVINE NOVELTIES. 
 
 THAT all-renewing work of Thine, 
 Great Quickener, how sweet ! 
 
 Give us Thy Novelties Divine 
 With welcome full to greet ! 
 
 Still, still new things would we behold ? 
 
 New joys would we possess ? 
 What wonders doth Thy Word unfold 
 
 Wherewith our quest to bless ! 
 
 What dearer bliss canst Thou bestow, 
 
 Can we beseech of Thee, 
 Than Thy renewing power to know, 
 
 Thy Creatures New to be ? 
 
1890. 
 
 of Praise. 187 
 
 For ever from the old bondage base 
 
 Of sin to be set free 
 And walk in the new blessed ways 
 
 Of holy liberty ? 
 
 In that New Life advancement still 
 
 To Thy New Creatures grant, 
 And all the blessedness fulfil 
 
 Of Thy New Covenant ! 
 
 Thy wondrous work within us makes 
 Mirth new and sweet and strong ; 
 
 The grace of the New Birth awakes 
 The joy of the New Song. 
 
 Into new vessels meetly poured 
 
 Thy New Wine we partake ; 
 In new ways that full room afford 
 
 Thy Spirit welcome make. 
 
 From sins that here assail we turn, 
 
 From wrongs that here oppress, 
 For the New Heaven and Earth to yearn 
 
 Where reigneth Righteousness. 
 
 There all the life, without, within, 
 
 Divinely new will be ; 
 Eternity fresh bliss will win 
 
 From blessed Novelty. 
 
 New things will new delights disclose, 
 
 New songs be linked thereto, 
 And Novelties Divine compose 
 
 Jerusalem the New. 
 
 V 
 
5 The Golden Chain 
 
 CXXVII. 
 
 THE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY GHOST. 
 
 " Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy 
 Ghost V 
 
 THESE bodies frail that toil o'erpowers, 
 That sickness mars, that death devours, 
 May they this wondrous glory boast ? 
 May they enshrine the Holy Ghost ? 
 
 What purity befits that home, 
 What whiteness doth that veil become, 
 Wherein may dwell a Power Divine, 
 Wherethrough the Holy One may shine ! 
 
 The Spirit loves to dwell where'er 
 A soul abideth pure and fair ; 
 Or strong or weak her house of clay, 
 Or bright or homely her array. 
 
 Nought more can outward Beauty boast 
 Than to enshrine the Holy Ghost ; 
 Nought less may forms uncomely be 
 Than temples of the Deity. 
 
 These shrines let no uncleanness stain ; 
 These temples let no wrong profane : 
 Respect their dignity divine ! 
 Revere the Holy Spirit's shrine ' 
 
 Keep, souls, for your indwelling God 
 
 A temple meet, a pure abode ; 
 
 Therein make welcome the Most High, 
 
 Therewith your Saviour glorify. 
 1892. 
 
of Praise. 189 
 
 CXXVIII. 
 
 ONENESS WITH GOD. 
 
 " He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit." 
 
 BLEST soul that cleaveth, Lord, to Thee, 
 
 That liveth on Thy grace, 
 Rejoiceth in Thy company 
 
 And feeleth Thine embrace ! 
 
 With Thee abiding, Holy One, 
 
 He learns Thy works and ways : 
 Thy love, unfolded in Thy Son, 
 
 His yearning love doth raise. 
 
 The righteousness he marks in Thee 
 
 His will to right doth win ; 
 Delighting in Thy purity, 
 
 He deeply drinks it in. 
 
 Full breathes on him the Holy Ghost ; 
 
 Thy life his life pervades ; 
 No breath of Thine in him is lost, 
 
 Thy likeness never fades. 
 
 He groweth more and more divine, 
 
 More near, more like to Thee ; 
 His spirit mingleth, Lord, with Thine — 
 
 One spirit Thou and he. 
 
 Thou stirrest when his soul is stirred ; 
 
 His treasure is Thy trust : 
 When speaketh he, Thou speakest, Lord ; 
 
 What doeth he, Thou dost. 
 
190 The Golden Chain 
 
 May each of us this height upclimb, 
 In this divine air dwell ? 
 
 For each of us this life sublime, 
 This bliss unspeakable ? 
 
 Yes, thus Thou wiliest ; each of us 
 Upholden thus may be ; 
 
 In thought, in deed, in utterance thus- 
 One spirit, Lord, with Thee. 
 1892. 
 
 CXXIX. 
 
 SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT 
 
 11 He shall drink of the brook by the way ; therefore 
 shall lift up the head." 
 
 AS panting pilgrim faileth 
 
 On burning summer day, 
 With what delight he haileth 
 
 The brook beside the way ! 
 What life each draught bestoweth 
 
 Of those blest waters clear ! 
 How swiftly on he goeth — 
 
 How full of strength and cheer ! 
 
 So as each pilgrim panteth 
 
 Along the heavenward road, 
 Heaven sweet refreshment granteth ; 
 
 The Spirit is bestowed : 
 So from the Rock Supernal 
 
 Celestial streams down roll ; 
 So floweth Life Eternal 
 
 Into the fainting soul. 
 
1891. 
 
 of Praise. 1 9 1 
 
 Enlivened and renewed 
 
 The uplifted soul proceeds ; 
 The journey is pursued, 
 
 The quickened pilgrim speeds ; 
 Oft panting, never sinking, 
 
 The aspiring soul ascends, 
 Still of the Spirit drinking 
 
 Until the journey ends. 
 
 cxxx. 
 QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT." 
 
 LORD ! is it ours to entertain 
 Thy Spirit pure and sweet ? 
 
 May we enjoy His blissful reign, 
 His biddings gladly greet ? 
 
 Lord ! is it ours to drive away 
 That gracious, glorious Guest ? 
 
 May we cast off His blissful sway, 
 Gainsay His biddings blest ? 
 
 When He doth holily inspire 
 May we His breathings quell — 
 
 Yes, quench the bright celestial fire 
 With mire from Earth and Hell ? 
 
 May we His gracious strivings slight 
 
 Till we are slaves to sin ? 
 May we shut out His beamings bright 
 
 Till all is dark within ? 
 
192 The Golden Chain 
 
 Lord, keep this darkness far from us, 
 This woe all woes above ! 
 
 O never may we slight Thee thus, 
 Life-bringing Heavenly Dove ! 
 
 Sweet Spirit, may Thy holy fire 
 Unquenched within us glow ; 
 
 More earnestly may we aspire, 
 More life mayst Thou bestow ! 
 
 When Thou dost sweetly shine may we 
 Make welcome all Thy light, 
 
 And what Thou biddest mightily 
 Fulfil with all our might ! 
 
 So, Spirit pure, wilt Thou be won 
 
 With us for aye to dwell ; 
 So will Thy holy fire burn on 
 Unquenched, unquenchable. 
 1892. 
 
 CXXXI. 
 
 " Take not Thy Holy Spirit from t 
 
 O SPIRIT sweet and pure, 
 Wilt Thou at last depart ? 
 Canst Thou no more endure 
 This faithless, fallen heart ? 
 These lusts that reign, 
 
 These sins that cleave, 
 Will they constrain 
 My Lord to leave ? 
 
 
of Praise. 193 
 
 Was not this heart of mine 
 
 Thy dwelling fair and bright ? 
 Didst not Thou, Guest Divine, 
 In that abode delight ? 
 With me to dwell 
 
 My Lord did love ; 
 I pleased Thee well, 
 Celestial Dove. 
 
 Thou madest all Thy power 
 And glory known to me ; 
 Thou broughtest all Thy dower 
 Of gifts divine with Thee. 
 Thy cheer ran o'er, 
 
 Thy love o'erflowed ; 
 Thy precious store 
 Was all bestowed. 
 
 Those tender tears and sighs, 
 
 Those strivings strong and blest, 
 Those prayers that rend the skies, 
 They came with Thee, sweet Guest. 
 That joy divine, 
 
 That gladsome strain, 
 They once were mine, 
 Thy glorious train. 
 
 And now I grieve Thee sore, 
 
 I scarce resist the Foe : 
 The song ascends no more : 
 The stream of prayer runs low. 
 Sweet Holy Ghost, 
 
 And art Thou gone ? 
 
 Bright Heavenly Host, 
 
 And have Ye flown ? 
 
 J 3 
 
194 The Golden Chain 
 
 Lord ! shall I never more 
 
 Thy Spirit entertain ? 
 In vain do I implore 
 A visit sweet again ? 
 Ah ! well I mourn ; 
 
 Thou well dost chide : 
 But yet return ! 
 But yet abide ! 
 
 More mightily descend — 
 
 More graciously come in ! 
 
 Thy fuller presence lend — 
 
 A fairer temple win ! 
 
 O ! go away, 
 
 Sweet Guest, no more, 
 
 But come and stay 
 
 With all Thy store ! 
 1868. 
 
 CXXXII. 
 
 THE WARFARE WITH SIN. 
 " Of Thy Mercy cut off mine Enemies." 
 
 LORD ! may not wrath within me rise, 
 Yet still Thy will be done ? 
 
 May not I hate mine enemies, 
 And yet obey Thy Son ? 
 
 Have I not sins whereon may light 
 
 The utmost of my hate ? 
 Have I not foes with whom to fight 
 
 Is on my Lord to wait ? 
 
1850. 
 
 of Praise. 195 
 
 I cannot burn with too much ire 
 'Gainst these Thy foes and mine : 
 
 Feed, Holy One, the holy fire ! 
 Inflame my wrath divine 
 
 I cannot here too strongly smite, 
 
 Too gladly help to slay ; 
 With me against my sins to fight 
 
 I sure my Lord may pray 
 
 Here I may ask of Thee a spear 
 
 And win of Thee a shield ; 
 Wilt Thou not, Holy One, appear 
 
 Upon this battle-field ? 
 
 Well may the victor give to Thee 
 
 Of such a fight the praise ; 
 Sweet to Thine ears the song must be 
 
 Such conqueror may raise. 
 
 O ! sweet the holy hate that grows 
 
 To happy Heavenly Love ! 
 O ! blest the warfare that will close 
 
 In endless rest above ! 
 
 CXXXIII. 
 
 THE MEMORY OF SIN. 
 u I remember my faults this day." 
 
 WHEN shall I, Lord, a journey take 
 Through my departed years, 
 
 And not a mournful visit make 
 And not return in tears ? 
 
196 The Golden Chain 
 
 If sad the thought of sweetness gone, 
 If pain past pleasures bring, 
 
 How shall my sins be gazed upon 
 And not resume their sting? 
 
 Hath not Thy mercy made me whole ? 
 
 Hath not Thy grace forgiven ? 
 Yet still the grief regains my soul : 
 
 Yet still my heart is riven. 
 
 Those buried sins of mine arise : 
 Again my heart runs o'er : 
 
 Once more those deep, repentant sighs- 
 Those bitter tears once more ! 
 
 O ! shall these drops of sadness make 
 
 The Light Celestial dim, 
 And Memory's mournful music break 
 
 On Heaven's Eternal Hymn? 
 
 My Saviour's powerful blood I know : 
 My pardoning God I bless : 
 
 But send Thy Spirit down ! bestow 
 Of Thine own holiness. 
 
 Those sins, so bitter to my soul, 
 
 Lord, let me not repeat : 
 So make my Past less sorrowful \ 
 
 So make my Heaven more sweet ! 
 
 Shall not this holier soul of mine 
 
 Enjoy Thy Presence Bright, 
 And Memory's happy strains divine 
 The angelic ears delight ? 
 1850. 
 
of Praise. 197 
 
 cxxxiv. 
 
 THE PRODIGALS RETURN. 
 
 "Joy shall be i?i Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more 
 than over ninety and nine just persons that need no 
 repentance." 
 
 WHENCE this flaming joy that maketh 
 Still more bright the Angelic Thrones ? 
 
 Golden Harps ! O wherefore breaketh 
 This new sweetness from your tones ? 
 
 What glad tidings 
 Make more glad the Blessed Ones ? 
 
 Hath some glorious new world broken 
 
 On those rapt seraphic eyes ? 
 Hath the Lord some secret spoken, 
 
 Bade some heavenlier vision rise ? 
 Hath He brought them 
 
 Saintly souls to help their joys ? 
 
 Look ! that kneeling sinner mourneth, 
 
 Smitten with a saving pain ; 
 Look ! that trembling wanderer turneth 
 
 To the Father's house again : 
 Fast it falleth, 
 
 From those eyes, the blessed rain. 
 
 Therefore grows the angels' gladness ; 
 
 Therefore swells their song more sweet ; 
 That sore shame, that mighty sadness 
 
 With this sovereign joy they greet : 
 More effulgent 
 
 Watch they those returning feet. 
 
198 The Golden Chain 
 
 Shineth now a temple stately 
 Where so late a ruin lay ; 
 
 Where the fiends were dwellers lately, 
 Angels there delight to stay : 
 
 How they welcome 
 This new heir of Heaven to-day ! 
 
 Yes, an outcast lone beginneth 
 
 In the Father's house to dwell : 
 Yes, a wounded sinner winneth 
 Of that joy they know full well ; 
 
 Sweetest story 
 Holy Angel-lips may tell ! 
 1853. 
 
 cxxxv. 
 
 THE PILGRIM'S PRAYER. 
 
 Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain 
 path." 
 
 LORD, I am Thine — but scarce a gift 
 
 Of me my Lord hath won ; 
 My heart's best love to Thee I lift, 
 
 Yet service slight have done. 
 
 What service so delights my hands 
 
 As tasks my God hath set ? 
 Yet idle, Lord, Thy servant stands ; 
 
 Thy business lingers yet. 
 
 What journey such full sweetness hath 
 
 As the rough walk with God ? 
 Yet, Lord, Thy pilgrim loitereth 
 
 Along the glorious road. 
 
[850. 
 
 of Praise. 199 
 
 I wander, Lord, a stranger here ; 
 
 All hidden lies my path : 
 Wilt Thou not, Heavenly Guide, appear ? 
 
 Sore need Thy servant hath. 
 
 Look, Lord, how Thy poor pilgrim burns 
 
 To find some path divine ! 
 Hark ! how Thy praying servant yearns 
 
 To do some work of Thine ! 
 
 Make plain the very path my feet 
 
 Most fitly may pursue ! 
 Show me the very work most meet 
 
 For my poor hands to do ! 
 
 O ! make this glowing love of mine 
 
 A world-inflaming fire ; 
 And let me learn of Grace Divine 
 
 To work and never tire. 
 
 cxxxvi. 
 " Increase our faith." 
 
 WHEREFORE, Lord, abides no might 
 In these faltering hands of ours ? 
 
 Wherefore 'neath each burden light 
 Sink our hearts and fail our powers ? 
 
 Wherefore turn our tired feet 
 
 From the road that seemed so sweet ? 
 
 WTierefore do our sorrows cleave ? 
 
 Wherefore do our eyes o'erflow ? 
 Lord ! in Thee we half believe : 
 
 Faith's full life we do not know ; 
 Faith's bright fire burns not in us : 
 Hence we weep and falter thus. 
 
200 The Golden Chain 
 
 Doth the world our hearts still win ? 
 
 Doth the Tempter still deceive ? 
 Over each fresh wound of sin 
 
 Doth the tender Spirit grieve? 
 Lord ! we dwell in unbelief ; 
 Hence our sin and hence His grief! 
 
 Wherefore do we yield to fear ? 
 
 Wherefore turn we tremblers back ? 
 With the Heavenly Helper near 
 
 What true soul can courage lack ? 
 Lord ! we scarce believe in Thee ; 
 Hence our lack of valiancy. 
 
 Wherefore are no mountains moved ? 
 
 Wherefore are no marvels wrought ? 
 Have we not been dearly loved ? 
 
 Have we not been dearly bought ? 
 Lord ! the power of faith we want ; 
 Therefore is our service scant. 
 
 In Thy mighty men of old 
 
 All the might of Faith appeared ; 
 
 Lord ! they were divinely bold ; 
 Thee and Thee alone they feared. 
 
 Strongly did their hearts believe : 
 
 Greatly did their hands achieve. 
 
 Lord ! more faith we weaklings want ; 
 
 Lord ! for faith we tremblers sigh ; 
 Lord ! for faith we mourners pant ; 
 
 Lord ! for faith we sinners cry. 
 With this grace each grace let fall ! 
 Give this gift and give us all ! 
 
1850 
 
 of Praise. 201 
 
 Turn our darkness into light; 
 
 Give us valiancy for fear, 
 Raise our weakness into might, 
 
 Lift our sadness into cheer ! 
 Make us through the strength of Faith 
 Strong o'er sorrow, sin and death ! 
 
 cxxxvn. 
 
 " Lead us not i?ito te/nfitation." 
 
 LET bolder hearts the strife require, 
 
 And rush upon the foe ; 
 O ! lowlier is our hearts' desire ; 
 
 Our frailty, Lord, we know. 
 
 We would not ask a sight of sin 
 
 Our steadfastness to prove, 
 Nor let the Tempter audience win 
 
 To show how strong our love. 
 
 Thy weaklings would not turn from Thee 
 
 To join the roar around, 
 Nor lose the angelic company, 
 
 Nor leave the Holy Ground. 
 
 O closer let Thy covering wing 
 
 Over Thy tremblers fall ! 
 More plenteous to Thy pilgrims bring 
 
 The airs celestial ! 
 
 We leave Thee, Lord, our love to task, 
 Thee, Thee our strength to try ; 
 
 Thy trembling servants only ask 
 Their God to glorify. 
 
202 The Golden Chain 
 
 well our yearning hearts may love 
 
 The everlasting Home ; 
 There will our love-set feet ne'er rove, 
 
 There may no Tempter come. 
 
 O Realm all bright, all hallowed ! 
 
 O journey safe and sweet ! 
 On Holy Ground alone we tread, 
 
 And only angels meet. 
 1851. 
 
 CXXXVIII. 
 
 SPIRITUAL UPS AND DOWNS. 
 
 " The flesh lusteth against the spirit \ and the spirit against 
 theflesh." 
 
 ! WHEREFORE hath my spirit leave 
 To come so near my God, 
 
 And yet so soon must gaze and grieve 
 O'er the abandoned road ? 
 
 1 feel my God almost possessed, 
 The Heavenly Land half won, 
 
 The blissful greeting of the Blest, 
 The eternal song begun. 
 
 Ah wings that droop ! ah strains that die ! 
 
 Ah light that fades away ! 
 Ah fleeting People of the Sky ! 
 
 Ah Heaven that will not stay ! 
 
 How boldly now I walk and leap, 
 
 Mine own Almighty nigh ! 
 Anon, poor weakling, low I creep, 
 
 Afraid my wings to try. 
 
of Praise. 203 
 
 What glory in Thy presence, Lord ! 
 
 What sweetness in Thy smile ! 
 Thine awful voice how quickly heard ! 
 
 Ah ! wherefore but awhile ? 
 
 How faintly sounds each sweet command ! 
 
 Thy Son's dear face how dim ! 
 Yet would I smile at His right hand, 
 
 Yet would I reign with Him ! 
 
 Lord ! help this earnest, helpless will ! 
 
 Lay Thine own hand on me ! 
 Shall I not climb Thy holy hill ? 
 
 Shall I not dwell with Thee ? 
 
 1847. 
 
 CXXXIX. 
 
 GOD'S OPEN AND HIDDEN FACE. 
 " / dare not say He hideth His face from me." 
 
 OLIVER CROMWELL. 
 
 WHY should the fulness of Thy grace 
 
 A thankful record miss ? 
 Lord ! wherefore should I not retrace 
 
 The fulness of my bliss ? 
 
 Hast Thou not spoken to my heart 
 
 With Thine own voice divine ? 
 Hast Thou not given my soul a part 
 
 In that dear Son of Thine ? 
 
 Hath not the Spirit of my God 
 With mine sweet witness blent ? 
 
 Hath not Thy Presence Bright bestowed 
 My joy pre-eminent ? 
 
204 The Golden Chain 
 
 Yes, all along my way below 
 
 That Presence Bright hath shone ; 
 
 Alike in outward weal and woe 
 It still keeps shining on. 
 
 I dare not mourn Thy hidden face 
 When man doth darkliest frown ; 
 
 Thou takest not away Thy grace 
 When sorrow bows me down. 
 
 I dare not o'er Thine absence grieve 
 When wealth and world are gone, 
 
 Nor in my Father's flight believe 
 
 When health and strength have flown. 
 
 Then only when to sin I yield 
 My Lord His face doth hide ; 
 
 Ah ! then His brightness is concealed, 
 His presence is denied. 
 
 Then only when from Thee I turn, 
 Thou turnest, Lord, from me ; 
 
 Ah ! then Thy hidden face I mourn, 
 Then am I reft of Thee. 
 
 As down the tears repentant roll, 
 
 My Lord to smile begins, 
 Once more this healed, hallowed soul 
 
 Thy blissful presence wins. 
 
 Dost Thou not less Thy light withdraw 
 As less from Thee I turn ? 
 
 When shall I ne'er forsake Thy law, 
 Thy hidden face ne'er mourn ? 
 
iS87. 
 
 of Praise. 205 
 
 When will my heart be always pure, 
 
 Thy presence always bright ? 
 And still my faithfulness endure 
 
 And still Thy smile delight ? 
 
 CXL. 
 
 COMPLAINT AND ASPIRATION. 
 
 NOT yet I love my God 
 With undivided heart ; 
 Not yet I tread the Heavenly road 
 With feet that ne'er depart. 
 
 Not yet each darling lust 
 Is altogether slain ; 
 Still, still I cleave unto the dust 
 And Satan strives to reign. 
 
 Not yet, my gracious Lord, 
 Each care on Thee I cast, 
 Nor live on Thy life-giving Word 
 Nor hold each promise fast. 
 
 Not yet is all Thy will 
 
 Sweet to this heart of mine ; 
 Not yet I hasten to fulfil 
 
 Each dear command of Thine. 
 
 Not yet Thy wondrous ways 
 I know as I desire, 
 Nor yet upon those glories gaze 
 To which mine eyes aspire. 
 
206 The Golden Chain 
 
 Not yet I yearn for Thee 
 As Thou for me dost yearn, 
 Nor yet Thy wondrous love of me, 
 Even as I might, return. 
 
 Not yet Thy tasks divine 
 Alone my hands employ ; 
 Not yet that presence sweet of Thine 
 Maketh mine only joy. 
 
 But shall I not one day, 
 My God, be all Thine own, 
 Rejoicing all Thy will obey 
 And do Thy works alone ? 
 
 Will not my joy and love 
 Be endless and complete, 
 And all my blessedness above 
 
 Flow from Thy presence sweet ? 
 1868. 
 
 CXLI. 
 
 "lam Thine, Save me." 
 
 MY GOD ! who all this happy while 
 Hast brightened my abode, 
 
 wilt Thou not for ever smile, 
 For ever be my God ? 
 
 1 who have hearkened for Thy word, 
 And hastened to Thy face ; 
 
 Yes, run to meet Thine angels, Lord,' 
 Who bore to me Thy Grace : 
 
[8 4 7. 
 
 of Praise. 20J 
 
 O ! shall I have no eyes to see 
 When bright Thou shinest round, 
 
 Nor ears to hear when comes to me 
 Each sweet, celestial sound ? 
 
 I, who Thy gracious tasks have done 
 And humbly wrought with Thee, 
 
 Thy holy errands gladly run, 
 Yet mourned how sluggishly : 
 
 O ! shall I turn these happy feet 
 To run the downward road, 
 
 And Sin employ these hands once meet 
 For Thy dear tasks, my God ? 
 
 May not this light, so glorious now, 
 
 An endless gift be given, 
 And this sweet Heaven begun below 
 
 Be an Eternal Heaven ? 
 
 Behold Thy trembler ! at Thy feet 
 
 O suffer me to stay ! 
 Let not Thy lowly intimate 
 
 Become Thy castaway ! 
 
 Yes ! richer make my soul's poor store, 
 More high her humble height ! 
 
 Sweet Holy Spirit, help me more ! 
 Bright Presence, come more bright ! 
 
208 The Golden Chain 
 
 CXLII. 
 
 THE HALTING ASPIRANT. 
 
 " I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes alway, 
 even unto the end." 
 
 WOULD I not, Lord, for evermore 
 
 Thy gladsome servant be ? 
 Is it not sweet to travel o'er 
 
 All the rough way with Thee ? 
 
 O meaneth not this soul of mine 
 
 Its all on Thee to spend, 
 To keep the Covenant Divine 
 
 Unbroken to the end ? 
 
 Methinks my feet can never tire, 
 
 My love can never fail j 
 O what can stay such strong desire ? 
 
 Thy pilgrim must prevail. 
 
 My glowing vows Thou soon dost win, 
 
 But will the passion stay ? 
 How sweet the journey to begin ! 
 
 How hard to keep the way ! 
 
 Alas ! my feet already tire, 
 
 Mine eyes already rove ; 
 They miss the Heaven of my desire ; 
 
 They lose the path I love. 
 
 Walk with me, Lord, through all the road ; 
 
 Thy fiery pillar lend ! 
 Close on Thy shining steps, my God, 
 
 I needs must reach the end. 
 1849. 
 
 
of Praise. 209 
 
 CXLI1I. 
 
 DIVINE DISCONTENT. 
 
 M I see that all things come to an end ; but Thy command- 
 ment is exceeding broad." 
 
 HOW eagerly my heart hath sought 
 And spurned each foolish gain ! 
 
 Each thing I longed for hath been brought 
 And brought to me in vain. 
 
 Alas ! this heart too well hath learned 
 
 The bitter in each sweet, 
 The imperfect excellence hath mourned, 
 
 The glory incomplete. 
 
 Doth glory still my soul invite ? 
 
 For greatness do I pine ? 
 Lord, make the ambition infinite, 
 
 The discontent divine ! 
 
 Yes, Lord, to glory measureless 
 
 Thou bidd'st my soul arise, 
 And settest Thine own perfectness 
 
 Before my longing eyes. 
 
 These halting feet Thou beckonest 
 
 To climb each height divine, 
 And to uphold me offerest 
 
 That strong right hand of Thine. 
 
 I, who have travelled far and found 
 
 Small cheer upon the road, 
 May o'er a boundless Holy Ground 
 
 Walk sweetly with my God. 
 
 14 
 
210 The Golden Chain 
 
 What ! weep I, Lord, because no more 
 
 Unto my soul is given, 
 I, who may take of Thine own store 
 
 And dwell in Thine own Heaven ? 
 
 I'll mourn no more that still from me 
 
 Perfection doth remove, 
 But seek my perfect rest in Thee 
 
 And trust Thy perfect love. 
 1849. 
 
 CXLIV. 
 
 DUTY DIFFICULT AND DELIGHTFUL. 
 
 HOW hard Thy holy law to keep, 
 
 Thy blessed will to do ! 
 How oft, dear Lord, they faint and weep, 
 
 Thy servants tried and true ! 
 
 And yet how sweet Thy blessed will ! 
 
 How dear Thy holy law ! 
 How doth their souls its glory fill 
 
 With mingled love and awe ! 
 
 With what glad wonder they discern 
 
 Its loveliness sublime ! 
 With what exulting steps they yearn 
 
 Each holy height to climb ! 
 
 They fain the statutes fast would hold 
 Their Father hath made known, 
 
 And reverently each grace unfold 
 That in their Saviour shone. 
 
 
 
i88] 
 
 of Praise. 21 
 
 More faithfully they keep Thy law, 
 
 More deeply they revere j 
 Its glory, as more nigh they draw, 
 
 Doth more divine appear. 
 
 Should not that glory, righteous Lord, 
 
 This heart divinely move ? 
 Should not this soul be sweetly stirred 
 
 Thy holy law to love ? 
 
 Make me with glowing lips express, 
 
 With hallowed life declare, 
 How beautiful is holiness, 
 
 Virtue how heavenly fair ! 
 
 In me Thine image make more bright, 
 
 Each veiling sin remove ! 
 Help me to climb each holy height 
 
 And keep the law I love ! 
 
 CXLV. 
 
 DIVINE ASCENSION. 
 
 " Filled unto all the fulness of God." 
 
 LORD ! Thou wouldst bring us nigh to Thee, 
 Wouldst have us like to Thy dear Son ; 
 Thou biddest us aspirants be, 
 Put all divine ambition on. 
 
 Thou fain wouldst have us greatly blest ; 
 Thou fain wouldst have us strong of wing ; 
 Thy Spirit's might Thou offerest 
 To help our weak endeavouring. 
 
212 The Golden Chain 
 
 We cannot reach Thy fulness, Lord, 
 But nearer we may draw thereto, 
 With holy longings still be stirred, 
 And still Thy perfectness pursue. 
 
 Thou Sovereign Lord Almighty ! lo 
 On, on to Thee the weaklings press ; 
 From strength to strength our souls would go 
 Upborne by Thine Almightiness. 
 
 All-Holy One, we give not o'er ; 
 The sinners would be one with Thee, 
 Would with Thy Spirit's help explore 
 Depth after depth Thy purity. 
 
 Alas our wrath ! alas our pride ! 
 Yet may they not at last be gone ? 
 Yes, may we not each day abide 
 Still nearer the All-Loving One ? 
 
 Father of Lights ! our souls aspire 
 From Thee, for Thee, with Thee to shine ! 
 Pour full on us Thy heavenly fire ! 
 Set bright in us Thy light divine ! 
 
 And may we grow for ever thus 
 Still nearer, liker unto Thee ? 
 Thou beckonest, Lord ; joy ! joy ! for us 
 A mounting immortality ! 
 1846. 
 
of Praise. 2 1 3 
 
 CXLVI. 
 
 LONGING AFTER GOD. 
 
 "As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth 
 my soul after Thee, O God." 
 
 LORD ! may the thirst of hunted deer 
 
 My spirit's portion be ? 
 As longeth he for streamlets clear 
 
 So may I long for Thee ? 
 
 As he doth from the hunters haste 
 
 So do I flee from sin ? 
 As he the water-brooks would taste, 
 
 Would I Thy Spirit win ? 
 
 How fierce that haste ! how fierce that heat ! 
 
 How dread that thirst, that strife ! 
 Those water-brooks how wondrous sweet ! 
 
 In those deep draughts what life ! 
 
 And yet how faintly they express 
 The streams that flow from Thee — 
 
 The streams of truth and righteousness, 
 Of love and purity ! 
 
 Do those glad living waters pure, 
 Down from my Rock that roll, 
 
 As mightily this heart allure, 
 As well refresh this soul ? 
 
 Alas, those blessed streams of Thine ! 
 
 How faint a thirst they wake ! 
 How feebly do I pant and pine ! 
 
 What shallow draughts I take ! 
 
214 The Golden Chain 
 
 That thirst my dull, dead spirit grant ! 
 
 That hart my pattern be ! 
 Give me to pant as he doth pant, 
 And drink as drinketh he ! 
 1882. 
 
 CXLVII. 
 
 THE DIVINE MASTER-BUILDER. 
 
 "Forsake not the works of Thine own hands. 
 
 HAST Thou not wrought Thy best on me, 
 
 Mine own Almighty God, 
 On me Thy choicest husbandry, 
 
 Thy dearest pains bestowed ? 
 
 Hast Thou not on this sinner set 
 
 That wondrous love of Thine, 
 And strongly drawn and sweetly met 
 
 This wayward heart of mine ? 
 
 Hath not Thy Son my ransom brought, 
 
 My chastisement endured, 
 This glorious robe obedient wrought, 
 
 This peace through pain procured ? 
 
 Hath not Thy Spirit lent my heart 
 
 His all-revealing light, 
 On me put forth His hallowing art, 
 
 On me His quickening might ? 
 
 Doth not this pilgrim still enjoy 
 
 Thy watchful guardian love ? 
 Doth not this wanderer still employ 
 
 The Advocate above ? 
 
1865. 
 
 of Praise. 2 1 5 
 
 Hast Thou not oft these lusts laid low 
 
 That still would reign o'er me ? 
 Each earthly, each infernal foe 
 
 Hast Thou not made to flee ? 
 
 Hast Thou not helped each prayer to rise, 
 
 And taught each song to soar ; 
 Yes, hallowed each poor sacrifice 
 
 I to Thine altar bore ? 
 
 Hast Thou not still with quickening breath 
 
 My fainting strength renewed, 
 And still upheld my faltering faith, 
 
 And still Thy work pursued ? 
 
 Thou, who thus mightily hast wrought, 
 
 Wilt Thou Thy work forsake ? 
 The temple Thou thus far hast brought 
 
 Wilt Thou not perfect make ? 
 
 Leave not, dear Lord, Thy work half done, 
 
 Thy glory incomplete ! 
 Hast Thou not graciously begun ? 
 
 Will not the end be sweet ? 
 
 O God of grace, my God still be ! 
 
 On me Thy pains still spend ; 
 Fulfil Thy gracious work in me ; 
 
 Fulfil Thy glorious end ! 
 
 O grant this longing soul of mine 
 
 Thy glory here to raise : 
 And in mine endless joy divine 
 
 Fulfil Thine endless praise ! 
 
216 The Golden Chain 
 
 cxlviii. 
 
 REFRESHMENT AFTER TOIL. 
 
 " Return unto thy rest, O my soul." 
 
 UNTO thy rest return, 
 
 Thou wandering soul of mine ; 
 O weary soul and worn, 
 Regain the Arms Divine ! 
 Unto thy God 
 
 Make haste again ; 
 Lay down thy load 
 And lose thy pain ! 
 
 Oft has thy heart been torn ? 
 
 Oft have thine eyes run o'er ? 
 Still dost thou weep and mourn ? 
 Go home and weep no more ! 
 Go home and near 
 
 Thy Father bloom : 
 Regain thy cheer j 
 Thy song resume ! 
 
 Has toil thy strength o'erwrought ? 
 
 Has strife thy peace o'ercome ? 
 Has the world weakness brought ? 
 Go, rest thyself at home ! 
 Take with thy Lord 
 
 New heart, new might ; 
 Regain the sword ! 
 Renew the fight ! 
 
of Praise. 217 
 
 Have creatures wrung thy breast 
 
 And wronged that love of thine ? 
 Back to the Heavenly Rest, — 
 Back to the Arms Divine ! 
 There take delight ! 
 
 There sweetly prove 
 
 Each depth, each height 
 
 Of sovereign Love ! 
 
 Alas this slow return ! 
 
 Alas this brief abode ! 
 Still vainly must I yearn 
 
 To stay with Thee, my God ? 
 Thine arms of love 
 
 Thou openest wide : 
 Still must I rove, 
 And ne'er abide ? 
 
 Thou sweetly dost compel ; 
 
 I bring Thee, Lord, my heart ; 
 I come with Thee to dwell, 
 No more from Thee to part ; 
 No more to roam, 
 
 Of Thee possessed, 
 The Eternal Home, 
 The Eternal Rest ! 
 
 1866. 
 
218 
 
 The Golden Cham 
 
 CXLIX. 
 
 ASSURANCE IN TROUBLE. 
 11 For I shall yet praise Him." 
 
 SAD soul ! doth fear confound thee ? 
 
 Soul ! dost thou faint and fail ? 
 Do angry waves surround thee ? 
 
 Do stormy winds assail ? 
 These waves thou shalt walk over : 
 
 This storm thou shalt forget ; 
 Still clasp the Heavenly Lover 
 
 And thou shalt praise Him yet. 
 
 Doth the deep darkness thicken ? 
 
 Do the hot tears down roll ? 
 Take comfort, heart sore-stricken ! 
 
 Rise, heavy-laden soul ! 
 The stroke will leave no sadness, 
 
 The burden no regret ; 
 The gloom will end in gladness 
 
 And I shall praise Him yet. 
 
 Ah Satan ! thou may'st bruise me ! 
 
 My peace thou may'st assail ; 
 May'st wrong and then accuse me, 
 
 But thou shalt not prevail. 
 I know thou can'st not take me, 
 
 My Lord will break thy net ; 
 My God will not forsake me 
 
 And I shall praise Him yet. 
 
[867. 
 
 of Praise. 219 
 
 Lord ! do I seem forsaken ? 
 
 Lord ! do I miss Thy smile ? 
 Dimness these eyes hath taken ; 
 
 Thou shinest all the while. 
 Though earth-born mists may veil Thee, 
 
 Sweet Sun, Thou hast not set : 
 Again these eyes shall hail Thee 
 
 And I shall praise Thee yet. 
 
 Oft hath the foe oppressed me ; 
 
 Oft have I cried to Thee ; 
 Still hath Thy presence blessed me, 
 
 Thine arm still set me free. 
 The grace that failed never 
 
 How, Lord, can I forget ? 
 Again Thou wilt deliver 
 
 And I shall praise Thee yet. 
 
 With Thee I oft have talked 
 
 In gladsome prayer and song ; 
 With Thee I oft have walked 
 
 The shining way along. 
 Again will come the glory : 
 
 Again the way will shine : 
 Joy yet shall crown my story ; 
 
 My song shall yet be Thine. 
 
 Here oft my day declineth, 
 
 My Sun doth set and rise : 
 But There He ever shineth 
 
 On ever gladsome eyes : 
 O never There, O never 
 
 One cloud will dim my gaze : 
 For ever and for ever 
 
 I yet my God shall praise. 
 
220 
 
 The Golden Chain 
 
 CL. 
 
 TRUST IN MAN OUR SNARE. 
 
 " Put not your trust in princes ; nor in the son of man, in 
 whom there is no help." 
 
 LORD ! hath our work depended 
 
 On strongest mortal might ? 
 Lord ! hath our path been splendid 
 
 With clearest earthly light ? 
 Ah broken reed that woundeth ! 
 
 Ah labour all in vain ! 
 Ah counsel that confoundeth ! 
 
 Ah pathway ne'er made plain ! 
 
 Have we too fondly gazed 
 
 On creatures fair and bright ? 
 Hath mortal beauty raised 
 
 Our hearts to wild delight ? 
 Ah rapture without reason ! 
 
 Ah brief uncertain smile ! 
 Ah light but for a season ! 
 
 Ah joy but for a while ! 
 
 Hath Hope its glory golden 
 
 Laid on some thing of dust ? 
 By child of Earth is holden 
 
 Our boundless store of trust ? 
 Ah swift departing splendour ! 
 
 Ah Hope ashamed that makes ! 
 Ah sore-bewailed surrender ! 
 
 Ah trust that trial breaks ! 
 
i8 5 5. 
 
 of Praise. 221 
 
 Have we our hearts made over 
 
 To spirits sweetly blent ? 
 Yes ! here on our best lover 
 
 Have we entirely leant ? 
 Ah bosom vainly tender ! 
 
 Ah shelter sweet in vain ! 
 In Earth's least sullied splendour 
 
 Still lingereth the stain ! 
 
 O changeless Heavenly Lover ! 
 
 O ever Fair and Bright ! 
 Only Thy wings can cover ; 
 
 Only Thy smile delight. 
 O might that never waneth ! 
 
 O Helper ever near ! 
 Only Thine arm sustaineth ; 
 
 Only with Thee is cheer. 
 
 CLI. 
 
 TRUST IN GOD OUR STAY. 
 ^Lord! in Thee have I trusted; let me tiever be confounded." 
 
 LORD ! in each weak endeavour 
 
 Have we Thy glory sought ? 
 To Thee, true Counsel-Giver 
 
 Have we each business brought ? 
 Have we with Thee conferred — 
 
 Of Thee inquired the right ? 
 Hath prayer our courage stirred 
 
 And armed us for the fight ? 
 
222 The Golden Chain 
 
 O light withholden never ! 
 
 O waiting ne'er in vain ! 
 O prayer prevailing ever ! 
 
 O hidden path made plain ! 
 O seekers ne'er confounded ! 
 
 Weaklings ne'er left alone ! 
 O warriors oft sore wounded 
 
 But never overthrown ! 
 
 Lord ! have we loved Thee mainly ? 
 
 Lord ! have we loved Thee first ? 
 Not sadly then, not vainly 
 
 May earthly love be nursed. 
 We weep no idols broken, 
 
 No vanished raptures mourn ; 
 The Eternal Word hath spoken ; 
 
 The unchanging Lover sworn. 
 
 His love their love doth heighten 
 
 In whom our hearts delight : 
 His smile their smiles doth brighten 
 
 Who make our dwelling bright. 
 Ah lovers ! must ye leave us ? 
 
 In His strong arms we sink : 
 Ah darlings ! do ye grieve us ? 
 
 Of His sweet grace we drink. 
 
 Have we, dear Lord, expended 
 
 On Thee our store of trust ? 
 Hath humble Hope attended 
 
 Upon each child of dust ? 
 Hath golden Expectation 
 
 From Thee its splendour drawn, — 
 Yes, built each fair creation 
 
 Thy truth and grace upon ? 
 
of Praise. 223 
 
 O fabrics built for ever ! 
 
 O splendour still the same ! 
 O Hope that bringeth never 
 
 One heart, one face to shame ! 
 O Trust, whose holy treasure 
 
 Grows as it runneth o'er ! 
 O bliss in over-measure ! 
 
 O bliss for evermore ! 
 
 1855. 
 
 CLII. 
 
 ' ' Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith." 
 
 SAVIOUR! who from Death didst take 
 Crown and sceptre, strength and sting, 
 
 Can Thy people bow and quake 
 As before a crowned king ? 
 
 Can Thy vanquished, captive foe 
 
 Bring the hearts that love Thee low ? 
 
 To the bright land where Thou art 
 Bidd'st Thou not Thy lovers come ? 
 
 Hast Thou not made sure their part 
 In Thy joy and in Thy home, 
 
 Wrought for them those robes so white, 
 
 Set for them those thrones so bright ? 
 
 Conqueror and King of death ! 
 
 Captor of captivity ! 
 Ah we tremblers have no faith 
 
 In Thy finished victory \ 
 Still for us that sting He bears ; 
 Still for us that crown He wears. 
 
224 The Golden Chain 
 
 Our poor land we would not leave 
 For the glory of Thy home ; 
 
 To the Vale of Tears we cleave : 
 To Thy joy we would not come. 
 
 We, who shrink to dwell with Thee, 
 
 How can we Thy lovers be ? 
 
 Stir in us the might of faith, 
 Light in us the fire of Love ! 
 
 Then will smile Thine angel Death, 
 Opener of the gate above ; 
 
 Sweet Thy summons then will come ; 
 
 Gladsome then shall we go home. 
 1856. 
 
 CLIII. 
 
 THE BROKEN AND RENEWED COVENANT. 
 
 TOO dearly, Lord, hast Thou redeemed 
 
 Not somewhat to be loved ; 
 Thy grace hath too divinely streamed 
 
 To leave my soul unmoved. 
 
 Yes, more than once my lips have said, 
 
 " I will Thy servant be ; " 
 Yes, more than once my soul hath made 
 
 A holy league with Thee. 
 
 O conference sublime and sweet 
 That sealed the League Divine, 
 
 Wherein Thy love my soul did greet, 
 Wherein I gave Thee mine ! 
 
856. 
 
 of Praise. 225 
 
 Did not I offer all my heart 
 
 And all my powers to Thee ? 
 Was there not promised on Thy part, 
 
 All grace, all help to me ? 
 
 For ever stand Thy promises ; 
 
 Eternal is Thy love ; 
 Thine everlasting faithfulness 
 
 Doth my weak vows reprove. 
 
 How often o'er my broken word 
 These shamed eyes have wept ! 
 
 How oft has this sad heart deplored 
 The covenant ill-kept ! 
 
 Yet, Lord, what can Thy wanderer do 
 
 But still Thy seeker be ! 
 O endless Lover ! I renew 
 
 My covenant with Thee. 
 
 Again my service I engage ; 
 
 I pledge my love once more ; 
 Again Thy warfare would I wage, 
 
 But better than before. 
 
 Lord ! for Thy faithfulness I yearn ; 
 
 For Thy true love I pant ; 
 Of Thee, of Thee I fain would learn 
 
 To keep the covenant. 
 
226 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLIV. 
 
 THE WORTH OF TIME. 
 
 O TIME ! ne'er resteth thy swift wing ; 
 
 Thy minutes make no stay : 
 Yet what vast treasure do they bring, 
 
 What treasure bear away ! 
 
 The wonder of their pace so swift 
 More wondrous makes their dower ; 
 
 What woe, what joy lies in the gift 
 Of every little hour ! 
 
 O richly laden hours, ye fly, 
 Yet ye lay down your load : 
 
 O minutes freighted awfully, 
 Your freight is all bestowed. 
 
 All blessed store within you lies ; 
 
 With a dire load ye swell ; 
 Ye bring the heavenly merchandise ; 
 
 Ye bring the wares of hell. 
 
 Ye bring the world's consuming care ; 
 
 Ye bring the Tempter's wile : 
 Ye bring the glorious strife of prayer 
 
 Ye bring the Father's smile. 
 
 Ye find the soul in Satan's grasp, 
 Close to the gates of death : 
 
 Ye leave it in the Saviour's clasp, 
 'Neath the sweet Spirit's breath. 
 
 
iS 55 . 
 
 of Praise. 227 
 
 Yes, Lord, our days may be divine : 
 
 Our hours may golden be ; 
 The brightness of their light may shine 
 
 Through all eternity. 
 
 We mourn not, Hours, the wings ye take, 
 
 If your blest dower be given : 
 Fly on, bright Minutes, if ye make 
 
 Our souls more meet for Heaven ! 
 
 Yes, parted Years, still sweetly breathe ! 
 
 Still blessedly appear ! 
 And glory and delight bequeath 
 
 To the Eternal Year ! 
 
 CLV. 
 
 THE VOICE OF TIME. 
 
 OUR years — they come and go ; 
 Our souls — they soar and sink ; 
 The tide divine doth onward flow 
 And then doth backward shrink. 
 
 Our God we shun and seek ; 
 We grovel, we aspire ; 
 His work we do, His law we break ; 
 We strive and then we tire. 
 
 Time's steadfast onward pace 
 Our halting- steps doth chide ; 
 Our slow advance in strength and grace 
 The swift-winged years deride. 
 
228 The Golden Chain 
 
 Lord ! as our years advance, 
 Should not our souls ascend ? 
 Doth not a cheerful resonance 
 The voice of Time commend ! 
 
 He bids our souls heed well 
 His onward march sublime : 
 Rebuke and Inspiration dwell 
 In the deep voice of Time. 
 
 List to the New Year bells, 
 How cheerfully they ring ! 
 What gladness in their music dwells ! 
 What hope, what joy they bring ! 
 
 Hark, tremblers, and aspire ! 
 List, laggards, on ! ascend ! 
 Invoke the Spirit's kindling fire ; 
 Therewith strong striving blend ! 
 
 The faintness of the Old 
 May the New Year efface, 
 The fulness of our strength unfold, 
 The fulness of God's grace ! 
 
 1894. 
 
 CLVI. 
 
 THE VOICE OF TIME IN HISTORY 
 
 HOW mournfully the voice of Time 
 Throughout the ages ringeth ! 
 
 What cries of woe, what bursts of crime 
 To shuddering souls it bringeth ! 
 
 We murmur back the mournful song ; 
 
 We cry aloud, " O Lord, how long ? " 
 As thus it sadly singeth. 
 
of Praise. 229 
 
 The groans of stricken Liberty, 
 
 Of wounded Peace possess us ; 
 The pangs of smitten constancy 
 
 To Truth and Right distress us ; 
 The patriot's block, the tyrant's throne, 
 The martyr's stake, the bondman's moan, 
 
 The Saviour's cross oppress us. 
 
 But not of wrong and woe alone 
 Time's voice far-sounding telleth ; 
 
 Into a gladder, loftier tone 
 Sometimes it sweetly swelleth. 
 
 Sometimes hath Freedom won the fight ; 
 
 Hark ! on the lips of conquering Right 
 A song of triumph dwelleth. 
 
 Around a tyrant's fallen throne 
 The shout of nations ringeth ; 
 
 God's weakness into might hath grown, 
 And men all blessings bringeth : 
 
 Victorious Truth with grateful smile 
 
 Points to her martyr's fiery pile, 
 And of his glory singeth. 
 
 Yes, as the centuries roll on, 
 More mighty Justice groweth, 
 
 Fair Freedom's fight is oftener won, 
 Her smile more brightly gloweth. 
 
 Less sadly sounds the voice of Time ; 
 
 Its tones are gladder, more sublime ; 
 A happier strain outfloweth. 
 
230 The Golden Chain 
 
 This century draws nigh a goal 
 More fair than its beginning ; 
 
 Against the Right, against the Soul 
 Less oft the Law is sinning. 
 
 Few martyrdoms doth Truth invite ; 
 
 More peace, more liberty, more light 
 The happier world is winning. 
 
 Lord of the Ages, may their chime 
 
 Approach Heaven's strain more nearly ! 
 
 Ring forth the Prince of Peace, O Time ! 
 Delight in Him more dearly ! 
 
 May that far-sounding voice of thine 
 
 Catch the sweet Spirit's tones divine, 
 And echo them more clearly ! 
 1894. 
 
 CLVII. 
 
 NEW YEAR HYMN. 
 
 BREAK, New-born Year, on glad eyes break ! 
 
 Melodious voices move ! 
 On, rolling Time ! thou canst not make 
 
 The Father cease to love. 
 
 The parted year had winged feet ; 
 
 The Saviour still doth stay : 
 The New Year comes j but, Spirit sweet, 
 
 Thou goest not away. 
 
 Our hearts in tears may oft run o'er ; 
 
 But, Lord, Thy smile still beams ; 
 Our sins are swelling evermore ; 
 
 But pardoning grace still streams. 
 
i85S. 
 
 of Praise. 231 
 
 Lord, from this year more service win, 
 
 More glory, more delight ! 
 O make its hours less sad with sin, 
 
 Its days with Thee more bright ! 
 
 Then we may bless its precious things 
 
 If earthly cheer should come, 
 Or gladsome mount on angel wings 
 
 If Thou wouldst take us home. 
 
 O ! golden then the hours must be ; 
 
 The year must needs be sweet : 
 Yes, Lord, with happy melody 
 
 Thine opening grace we greet. 
 
 CLVIII. 
 
 THE NEW YEAR AND THE NEW LIFE. 
 
 THE New Year, Lord, we welcome make 
 With gladsome heart and tongue ; 
 
 The newness of the gift doth wake 
 The newness of the song. 
 
 We look for things unseen before ; 
 
 We hope for joys unknown ; 
 But Thou canst on this New Year pour 
 
 A newness all Thine own. 
 
 Divine Renewer, make this year 
 
 For us divinely new ! 
 These far-off seekers bring more near, 
 
 These falterers make more true ! 
 
232 The Golden Chain 
 
 Give us new life from Thee to win 
 New strength from Thee to take 
 
 Each fresh o'erthrow of rising sin 
 More full, more glorious make ! 
 
 Their Taskmaster our souls require 
 To keep in nearer view ! 
 
 And let our quickened powers aspire 
 To some achievement new ! 
 
 Grant us new beams of Thine to see, 
 New steps of Thine to trace — 
 
 New visions of Thy majesty, 
 New visits of Thy grace ! 
 
 Help us new peaks of Truth to climb, 
 To win new realms of lore — 
 
 Each deep divine, each height sublime 
 More amply to explore ! 
 
 In these Thy glorious works may we 
 
 Thy glory more discern, 
 And in this inmost sanctuary 
 
 Fresh tidings of Thee learn ! 
 
 Augment our skill this lore divine 
 
 Without, within to read, 
 And let this year in joy divine 
 
 Each earlier year exceed ! 
 
 May Grace those sweet surprises lend 
 
 That bring our God more near, 
 And novelties divine commend 
 The newness of the year ! 
 1888. 
 
of Praise. 233 
 
 CLIX. 
 
 MORNING HYMN. 
 "Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin." 
 
 DEAR Lord ! Thou bringest back the morn j 
 Thy children wake ; Thy children pray : 
 
 O ! make our souls divinely yearn ! 
 Pour Thy best beauty on the day ! 
 
 Yes, make our best desire most strong ! 
 
 O let not sin one hour oppress ; 
 But spread each shining hour along 
 
 The beauty of Thy holiness. 
 
 In myriad gifts streams forth Thy love ; 
 
 What countless joys each minute brings ! 
 But, O ! the cleaving sin remove 
 
 That darkens all these precious things. 
 
 The thoughts, that in our hearts keep place, 
 Lord, make a holy, heavenly throng ; 
 
 And steep in innocence and grace 
 The issue of each guarded tongue. 
 
 Lend our slow feet that speed of Thine ; 
 
 Our busy hands from evil stay : 
 Lord ! help us still to tasks divine — 
 
 Still keep us in the heavenly way. 
 
 The weaklings plead ; the sinners pray ; 
 
 But, Lord, Thy grace exceeds our sin : 
 We cannot ask too bright a day ; 
 
 Too much of Thee we cannot win. 
 1855. 
 
234 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLX. 
 
 EVENING HYMN. 
 
 LORD ! have I walked with Thee to-day 
 As Thine own pilgrims walk ? 
 
 Lord ! hast Thou gladdened all my way, 
 And mingled with my talk ? 
 
 Have I some darling sin defied, 
 Some mighty lust o'erthrown ? 
 
 Hast Thou, dear Lord, Thy servant tried 
 And found me more Thine own ? 
 
 Hath my weak, yearning spirit sought 
 
 The holy home above ? 
 Have I for my dear Saviour wrought 
 
 Some work of lowly love ? 
 
 Hath each sweet visit of Thy grace 
 More grateful found my soul ? 
 
 Have the bright shinings of Thy face 
 Beamed on a heart less dull? 
 
 More steadfast have I sought the right ? 
 
 More faithful kept Thy way ? 
 Yes ! shine the hours with holier light 
 
 Than beamed from yesterday ? 
 
 O faithless heart ! O faltering hands ! 
 
 O feet so slow to move ! 
 When shall I run in Thy commands 
 
 And serve the Lord I love ? 
 
i853- 
 
 of Praise. 235 
 
 When shall each shining day transcend 
 
 The days that went before, 
 And to the day that hath no end 
 
 Bequeath a holier store ? 
 
 CLXI. 
 
 HOLY EVEN-TIDE. 
 
 WHEN doth the soul so sweetly soar, 
 
 So blissfully abide, 
 So steadfastly her Lord adore 
 
 As at sweet Even-tide ? 
 
 How doth the stillness of this hour, 
 
 The glory of this sky, 
 Each earth-born, day-nursed care o'erpower, 
 
 Each longing bright lift high ! 
 
 How full the deep peace from above 
 Breathes in this depth of calm ! 
 
 What sweetness of celestial Love 
 
 Streams through these floods of balm ! 
 
 These rosy deeps, these radiant hues, 
 What wondrous news they tell ! 
 
 How doth the Infinite suffuse 
 The soul that reads them well ! 
 
 What dreams divine, what visions bright 
 
 This setting sun attend ! 
 What gleams of Everlasting Light 
 
 With this brief glory blend ! 
 
236 The Golden Chain 
 
 The soul, fulfilled in this blest time 
 With all her Father's grace, 
 
 Prolongs the conference sublime, 
 Prolongs the dear embrace. 
 
 How sweetly doth this melting hour 
 Commend the Saviour's love ! 
 
 With what subduing, softening power 
 Descends the Heavenly Dove ! 
 
 What wondrous things the Spirit saith ! 
 
 How full the soul's reply ! 
 How streameth forth her prayerful breath ! 
 
 When mounts her praise so high ? 
 
 Yes, when doth she so sweetly soar, 
 
 So blissfully abide, 
 So steadfastly her Lord adore 
 
 As at sweet Even-tide ? 
 
 CLXII. 
 
 SUNWARD GAZING. 
 " So km AspiciensP 
 
 WITH what delight mine eye pursues 
 
 The glory of the sun ! 
 As richly he the day renews 
 
 My lingering gaze is won. 
 
 His morning beams I gladsome greet, 
 Nor shun his noon-tide blaze ; 
 
 His evening glow so soft and sweet 
 Wins my full, steadfast gaze. 
 
1890. 
 
 of Praise. 237 
 
 Thus, thus upon her Sun Divine 
 
 My soul her gaze would set ; 
 Thus ever woo His gracious shine, 
 
 His blessed warmth still get. 
 
 As never setteth He, so ne'er 
 My gaze would I remove, 
 
 But all my days or foul or fair 
 Live in the light I love. 
 
 When earth is drear, when hearts grow chill 
 
 Still sunward I may gaze ; 
 Nor clouds of care, nor storms of ill 
 
 May hide or quench His rays. 
 
 The light not only would I see, 
 But drink its brightness in : 
 
 Would catch those rays of purity, 
 Those beams of love would win. 
 
 That soul-suffusing gaze be mine — 
 That portion sweet and high, 
 
 Full in the Sun to live and shine, 
 Full in the Sun to die ! — 
 
 As earth doth fade from my dim sight, 
 To feel His sweet, warm rays ; 
 
 Then pass into His cloudless light 
 And Sunward ever gaze ! 
 
238 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLXIII. 
 
 " In Thy light we shall see light: 1 
 
 THE light of morn, of noon, of even, 
 The sunshine's varying smile, 
 
 What gladness with the gift is given ! 
 How sweet the golden while ! 
 
 The light of Truth, the light of Lore, 
 What joy to walk therein ! 
 
 The widening region to explore, 
 The deepening glow to win ! 
 
 But O ! to walk with Thee, my God, 
 Thee who art very Light — 
 
 With Thee, sweet Sun, to make abode, 
 What gladness infinite ! 
 
 This earth, that sky, how doubly bright 
 If Thou dost shine within ! 
 
 What fulness doth all outer light 
 From the soul's sunshine win ? 
 
 How beams the path of Truth, if Thou 
 Along that path dost shine ! 
 
 How doth each new-won region glow 
 With Thee for Guide Divine ! 
 
 How richly spreads each realm of Lore, 
 
 Illumined by Thy rays ! 
 What brightness doth Thy presence pour 
 
 On History's gloomy maze ! 
 
of Praise. 239 
 
 The star of Hope, how sure a guide 
 
 When Thou dost bid it shine ! 
 The light of Love, how glorified 
 
 When mingled, Lord, with Thine ! 
 
 If faintness fall upon that light, 
 
 If clouds that sweet star hide, 
 Still, Sun Divine, it is not night 
 
 If Thou within abide. 
 
 Thy shinings here our weal enhance, 
 
 Blend gladness with our woe : 
 Then what must be the radiance 
 
 . Of Heaven with Thee aglow ! 
 
 There all things in Thy light we see, 
 
 'Neath Thy full shining bright ; 
 Yes, set our endless gaze on Thee — 
 Thee who art very Light ! 
 1892. 
 
 CLXIV. 
 
 THE JOY OF SPRING. 
 
 LORD ! Thy Bright Presence doth not know 
 
 The changes of the year ; 
 In Winter's gloom, in Summer's glow 
 
 Alike our God is near. 
 
 Yet with what fulness of delight 
 We wait on Thee in Spring ! 
 
 How doth the vernal time invite 
 Our souls to soar and sing ! 
 
240 The Golden Chain 
 
 How meetly the renewed soul 
 
 Greets the renewed earth ! 
 Her own new life how strong and full 
 
 As that new life bursts forth ! 
 
 With gladdened eyes and hearts we see 
 That life fair shapes assume — 
 
 The deepening greenness of each tree, 
 The widening, varying bloom. 
 
 What cheer those vernal airs bestow, 
 That fragrance doth bequeath ! 
 
 With breath diviner as they blow 
 The Spirit seems to breathe. 
 
 With the glad quire in every grove 
 Our happy strains we blend ; 
 
 With that new song of joy and love 
 Our own new songs ascend. 
 
 Those nightingales, what lore they yield ! 
 
 What rapture they inspire ! 
 We hail the heavenly bliss revealed, 
 
 Nor miss the angel-quire. 
 
 Yet when of Life succeeding Death 
 Doth Hope so sweetly reign, 
 
 As when beneath God's quickening breath 
 Dead Nature lives again ? 
 
 Those tokens of new life among 
 Our doubts, our fears we miss ; 
 
 We feel the immortal hope more strong, 
 More sure the eternal bliss. 
 
of Praise. 241 
 
 This new-born bloom, this new-born mirth, 
 
 These flowery, fragrant bowers 
 The Everlasting Spring set forth, 
 
 Fore-bloom the unfading flowers. 
 
 We think how He our Saviour dear 
 
 In smiling Spring uprose, 
 And the young sweetness of the year 
 
 More sweet, more lovely grows. 
 
 Lord ! here in this blest vernal time 
 
 Our gladdest songs we bring, 
 And hold more fast the hope sublime 
 
 Of that Eternal Spring. 
 
 CLXV. 
 
 A VERNAL REBUKE. 
 
 OXCE more doth Earth her smile resume, 
 
 And back her beauty win ; 
 Again we banquet on the bloom 
 
 And drink the fragrance in. 
 
 Once more the life of Spring is hers, 
 
 The joy of Spring is ours ; 
 What cheer they yield, these vernal airs ! 
 
 What bliss, these vernal flowers ! 
 
 Once more these nightingales ring forth 
 
 Their fulness of delight ; 
 Again they fill us with their mirth 
 
 And lift us to their height. 
 
 16 
 
242 The Golden Chain 
 
 O season, sweetest, loveliest, 
 Most gladsome and most dear ! 
 
 And yet this vernal time so blest 
 Doth chide as well as cheer. 
 
 How feebly doth our life repeat 
 The living, breathing Spring ! 
 
 How coldly do our spirits greet 
 The Spirit's quickening ! 
 
 How faint a fragrance we give forth, 
 
 How little love express ! 
 How doth the teeming, blooming earth 
 
 Rebuke our barrenness ! 
 
 How sweetly our dull, broken song 
 These nightingales reprove, 
 
 And bid our faltering souls prolong 
 The lay of thankful love ! 
 
 Sweet Spirit ! ne'er Thy work forsake, 
 More sweetly, strongly blow ! 
 
 Our deadness and our dearth unmake, — 
 A fair, full Spring bestow ! 
 
 Waken our passions and our powers 
 
 Into true life divine — 
 As teems the earth, as glow the flowers, 
 
 So make us teem and shine ! 
 
 Make us a deeper verdure show, 
 
 A richer fragrance fling, 
 This earth out-bloom, these hues out-glow, 
 
 These nightingales out-sing. 
 1890. 
 
 
of Praise. 243 
 
 CLXVI. 
 
 SUMMER WITHOUT AND WITHIN. 
 
 NOT faintly, Lord, delight we take 
 In summer bright and strong ; 
 
 How vividly its glories wake 
 Our hearts to thankful song ! 
 
 The might of its majestic sun, 
 His sovran noon-tide power 
 
 To softest, sweetest sway down won 
 In evening's happy hour j 
 
 The various glory of its sky, 
 The deep, unbroken blue 
 
 At eve translated gloriously 
 Into each radiant hue ; 
 
 Its lingering light that will not die, 
 That leaves for night no room ; 
 
 The fulness of its fragrancy, 
 The richness of its bloom ! 
 
 Lord, on our longing souls bestow 
 A summer strong and bright ! 
 
 Repeat in us its noon-tide glow, 
 Its blessed lingering light : 
 
 Beneath our gracious Sun Divine 
 Give us to beam and burn ; 
 
 And ever bathed in His sweet shine, 
 No darkness to discern ! 
 
!44 The Golden Chain 
 
 May Love's pure, holy, heavenly heat 
 
 Within us kindled be — 
 A fragrant fire, in union sweet 
 
 With Faith's full fervency ! 
 
 Lord, may Thy faithful folk be filled 
 With light, with warmth, with power ! 
 
 Yes, in each glowing soul upbuild 
 A blissful summer-bower ! 
 
 CLXVII. 
 
 THE HYMN OF YOUTH. 
 
 IS Earth too fair, is youth too bright 
 To need the smile of Heaven ? 
 
 Have I no deadly foes to fight, 
 No sins to be forgiven ? 
 
 Am I too young to seek that Lord 
 Who left His heaven for me ; 
 
 Too young to hold those sins abhorred 
 He bore upon the tree ? 
 
 My Father ! may not this glad heart 
 Feel Thee its sovereign good, 
 
 And bless, my Saviour, its dear part 
 In Thine atoning blood ? 
 
 This heart, so swiftly won to love, 
 Shall it not burn for Thee ? 
 
 Shall not the Heavenly Lover move 
 Its sweetest ecstasy ? 
 
 
of Praise. 245 
 
 Shall not redeeming grace inspire 
 
 This glowing soul of mine, 
 This soul so ready to admire, 
 
 With wonder most divine ? 
 
 I, who of glorious guests would boast, 
 
 Shall I not feel most blest 
 To entertain the Holy Ghost 
 
 Who fain would be my guest ? 
 
 Hath not Thy Word a promise sweet 
 
 For spirits young as mine ? 
 May not my soul have leave to greet 
 
 Some vision all divine ? l 
 
 When will the Everlasting Hills 
 
 Look more divinely near, 
 Or my Redeemer's chariot-wheels 
 
 More sweetly rouse mine ear ? 
 
 Rejoicing, Lord, I seek Thy face ; 
 
 Sweet smiling haste I make ; 
 Thy longing, loving child embrace, 
 
 Thy young, glad servant take ! 
 
 May not I noblest pleasure win 
 
 And still Thy servant be ? 
 May not I drink Thy beauty in 
 
 Nor miss Thy purity ? 
 
 May not I through each golden hour 
 
 Wait duteous on my God, 
 Yes, gather many a fadeless flower 
 
 Along the heavenly road ? 
 
 Trn* young men shall see visions." (Joel ii. 28.) 
 
246 The Golden Chain 
 
 O awful God of holiness ! 
 I would be all Thine own ; 
 
 God of joy ! O God of grace ! 
 I smile before Thy throne. 
 
 1 pray Thee not to keep from me 
 All sorrow and all smart ; 
 
 But now I bring my joy to Thee ; 
 Accept this glowing heart ! 
 
 CLXVIII. 
 
 THE SONG OF SEVENTY. 
 
 " To Thee, Almighty God, to Thee 
 
 Our childhood we resign ; 
 'Twill please us to look back and see 
 That our whole lives were Thine." 
 
 WATTS. 
 
 EARLY, my God, I felt Thee near, 
 To Thee my childhood came ; 
 
 I lisped with blended love and fear 
 Thy sweet, Thine awful name. 
 
 My growing soul with Thee abode ; 
 
 My youth rejoiced in Thee ; 
 For Thee its liveliest love outflowed, 
 
 Its strongest ecstasy. 
 
 In all bright souls Thy brightness shone ; 
 
 Each joy Thy smile did share ; 
 All beauty that I gazed upon 
 
 Unfolded the First Fair. 
 
of Praise. 247 
 
 In Nature's teeming, boundless store 
 
 Thy wonders I adored, 
 And traversed each rich realm of lore 
 
 A seeker of the Lord. 
 
 To Thee that young, full soul of mine 
 
 Its glowing fulness brought ; 
 My sweetest songs were songs divine, 
 
 My best for Thee I wrought. 
 
 And now in Eld I come to Thee 
 
 Fervent and full as then ; 
 On this glad day I bring with me 
 
 My threescore years and ten. 
 
 Their weight no chill, no faintness brings, 
 
 No dulness doth bestow : 
 My spirit still retains her wings, 
 
 My soul is still aglow. 
 
 Her flame is still a holy fire ; 
 
 With Thee, for Thee she burns ; 
 Thy call, Thy cause her powers inspire, 
 
 For Thee new lore she learns. 
 
 With Thee I linger in the grove, 
 
 W T ith Thee I climb the hill, 
 Along the dale, the stream I rove, 
 
 Thy soaring seeker still. 
 
 The rapture of the nightingale 
 
 Doth thrill my spirit yet ; 
 In tune with his melodious tale 
 
 My gladsome song is set. 
 
248 77? £ Golden Chain 
 
 And still my sweetest song ascends, 
 
 God of my life, to Thee ; 
 And still upon Thy praise attends 
 
 My soul's full harmony. 
 
 Ere long these mortal powers must wane 
 But needs this soul decline ? 
 
 Still, Lord, the holy fire sustain ! 
 Prolong the song divine ! 
 
 Till, mingling with the seraphs' fire, 
 
 The flame for ever glows, 
 And holpen by the angel-quire, 
 
 The song for aye on flows. 
 February 10th, 1889. 
 
 CLXIX. 
 
 ETERNAL YOUTH. 
 
 " Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young 
 men shall utterly fail. But they who wait on the 
 Lord shall renew their strength." 
 
 AH tremblers fainting and forlorn ! 
 
 Ye once were young and glad ; 
 Ah weary souls ! ah weaklings worn ! 
 
 Ye once in might were clad. 
 
 Ah drooping hearts, wherein once glowed 
 Hope's fire so bright and strong ! 
 
 Ah dull cold lips, whose joy o'erflowed 
 Of old in many a song ! 
 
of Praise. 249 
 
 Young hearts, with hope and love on fire, 
 
 Would ye still sweetly burn ? 
 Young souls to glory that aspire, 
 
 Would ye still nobly yearn ? 
 
 Young souls so strong the race to run 
 
 And win each height sublime, 
 Unweary still would ye march on 
 
 And still exulting climb ? 
 
 Walk with the Lord ! along the road 
 
 Your strength He will renew ; 
 Wait on the Everlasting God 
 
 And He will wait on you. 
 
 Burn with His love ! your fading fire 
 
 An endless flame will glow ; 
 Life from the Well of Life require ! 
 
 The stream will ever flow. 
 
 1868. 
 
 Ye shall not faint, ye shall not fail, 
 
 Still in the Spirit strong : 
 Each task divine ye still shall hail 
 
 And blend the exulting song. 
 
 Aspiring eyes ye still shall raise 
 And heights sublime explore : 
 
 Like eagles, ye shall sunward gaze, 
 Like eagles, heavenward soar. 
 
 Your wondrous portion shall be this, 
 
 Your life below, above, 
 Eternal youth, eternal bliss 
 
 And everlasting love. 
 
250 
 
 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLXX. 
 
 THE HYMN OF THE HEART. 
 
 MAY one who oft all earthward yearns, 
 With Thee, great God, have part ? 
 
 This heart that craves, and pants, and burns, 
 Wilt Thou accept this heart ? 
 
 These mighty passions must I slay 
 
 Ere I can pant for Thee ? 
 Yes, wish my very heart away 
 
 Thy lover, Lord, to be ? 
 
 O ! must these wings aside be thrown 
 
 That Heavenward I may soar ? 
 Lord ! ne'er shall I become Thine own 
 
 Until I love no more ? 
 
 Take not away these eager wings ! 
 
 Teach them a heavenly flight ! 
 This joy in Earth's delightful things 
 
 Raise to divine delight. 
 
 Unmake not this poor heart, — still, 
 
 A lover let me be ; 
 Its longings with Thy fulness fill ; 
 
 Lord, lift my love to Thee ! 
 
 still 
 
 Sweet to my yearning heart appear ; 
 
 Its Brightest Presence be ! 
 When most it loveth, be Thou dear ; 
 
 Take its full strength to Thee ! 
 
1850. 
 
 of Praise. 25 
 
 O ! can I then too much desire 
 
 When still for Thee I yearn ? 
 This glowing heart, this holy fire, — 
 
 Too strongly can it burn ? 
 
 Love on, enamoured heart, love on ! 
 
 Thy Lord will not reprove ; 
 O ! if I love the Holy One, 
 
 May not I be all love ? 
 
 CLXXI. 
 
 LORD, I LOVE THEE. 
 
 LORD, I love Thee ! Sin and Sorrow 
 Cannot that dear joy remove ; 
 
 Lord, I love Thee ! still I borrow 
 From my weakness strength to love ; 
 
 Dim my vision ; 
 Yet how sweet the light above ! 
 
 On Thy errands have I halted, 
 Faintness in Thy service shown, 
 
 Feebly Thy dear name exalted, 
 Poorly made Thy glory known : 
 
 Yet I love Thee, 
 Yet I linger near Thy throne. 
 
 Foolish heart ! yet still it yearneth 
 For that waiting grace of Thine ; 
 
 Trembling flame — yet still it burneth, 
 This undying love of mine ; 
 
 Lord, I love Thee ! 
 I may speak these words divine. 
 
252 The Golden Cham 
 
 I would speak them when Thou takest 
 Each dear gift of Thine away ; 
 
 I would speak them when Thou makest 
 Darkness in mine earthly day ; 
 
 Lord, I love Thee ! 
 Still with me Thyself dost stay. 
 
 Hath not creature-love been sweeter 
 For the love that burns for Thee ? 
 
 Are not earthly joys completer 
 For each heavenly ecstasy ? 
 
 In all brightness 
 Shinest Thou not full on me ? 
 
 Sometimes hath the Heavenly Beauty 
 Beamed too bright for me to sin ; 
 
 Sometimes to stern-voiced duty 
 
 Cheerful listening couldst Thou win : 
 
 King of Glory ! 
 Sometimes have I let Thee in. 
 
 When wilt Thou take full possession ? 
 
 When shall all my love appear ? 
 When shall the sublime profession 
 
 With full truth delight Thine ear ? 
 Lord, I love Thee ! 
 
 When wilt Thou indeed be dear ? 
 
 O for the divine completeness 
 
 Of this soul on Thee half-bent ! 
 O this love's celestial sweetness 
 All upon Thy glory spent ! 
 
 Lord, I love Thee ! 
 Endless be the ravishment ! 
 1849. 
 
of Praise. 253 
 
 CLXXII. 
 
 EARLY LOVE. 
 "How good it is to close with Christ betimes!" 
 
 OLIVER CROMWELL. 
 
 WITH sin I would not make abode 
 While shines each Golden Hour ; 
 
 Nor keep away from Thee, my God, 
 Till falls my Blissful Bower. 
 
 I would not give the world my heart, 
 
 And then profess Thy love ; 
 I would not feel my strength depart, 
 
 And then Thy service prove. 
 
 I would not with swift-winged zeal 
 
 On the world's errands go ; 
 And labour up the Heavenly Hill 
 
 With weary feet and slow. 
 
 Why should I lend the world's poor song 
 
 These glowing lips of mine, 
 And keep my dull, untuned tongue 
 
 To sing Thy songs divine ? 
 
 O ! not for Thee my weak desires, 
 
 My poorer baser part ! 
 O ! not for Thee my fading fires, 
 
 The ashes of my heart ! 
 
 Lord ! in the fulness of my might 
 
 I would for Thee be strong ; 
 While runneth o'er each dear delight, 
 
 To Thee should soar my song. 
 
254 The Golden Chain 
 
 choose me in my golden time ! 
 In my dear joys have part ! 
 
 For Thee the glory of my prime — 
 The fulness of my heart ! 
 
 1 cannot, Lord, too early take 
 
 The covenant divine ; 
 O ! ne'er the happy heart may break 
 Whose earliest love was Thine. 
 1855. 
 
 CLXXIII. 
 
 LOWLY LOVE. 
 " / love God, or rather am loved of God" 
 
 OLIVER CROMWELL. 
 
 METHINKS the glory of my God 
 
 Mine inmost soul doth move 
 Methinks this heart is His abode 
 
 Methinks my Lord I love. 
 
 Sometimes this dull, cold bosom burns 
 
 With the true fire possessed ; 
 Sometimes this faithless heart returns 
 
 To its eternal rest. 
 
 Sometimes my hands for Thee are strong, 
 
 For Thee my feet are swift ; 
 Sometimes my love-inspired tongue 
 
 To Thee a song doth lift. 
 
 Is this cold heart with Thee on fire ? 
 
 Dost Thou this laggard move ? 
 Lord ! doth this grovelling worm aspire ? 
 
 Lord ! doth this ingrate love ? 
 
i855- 
 
 of Praise. 255 
 
 I dare not, Lord, my love profess ; 
 
 I dare not boast my heart ; 
 But I have known Thy faithfulness ; 
 
 But Thou my Lover art. 
 
 I faint amidst the heavenward flight ; 
 
 But Thou hast stooped to me : 
 I weary of Thy Presence Bright ; 
 
 But Thou my guest wilt be. 
 
 Thou still hast loved me, Father mine ; 
 
 Thou still Thy child hast sought ; 
 O Saviour sweet, O Son divine ! 
 
 My ransom Thou hast brought. 
 
 O Comforter ! from this mean heart 
 
 Thou fain wouldst ne'er remove ; 
 O Lover mine, Thyself impart, 
 
 And teach me how to love ! 
 
 CLXXIV. 
 
 RESTRAINING FEAR. 
 
 THRICE blessed, Lord, the godly dread 
 .That on our childhood came ; 
 
 Wherewith Thy holy law we read 
 And lisped Thine awful name — 
 
 Wherewith we hearkened to Thy word 
 And dwelt beneath Thine eye ; 
 
 Wherewith our wondering souls adored 
 Thy glorious majesty. 
 
256 The Golden Chain 
 
 Sometimes the fear of Thee constrained 
 
 All other fear to flee ; 
 Sometimes that guardian angel gained 
 
 O'er Sin the victory. 
 
 Our childhood oft, thus strongly stayed, 
 
 Some evil way gave o'er ; 
 Our lips, thus blessedly afraid, 
 
 The lie, the curse forbore. 
 
 Dread Lord ! is Childhood only weak ? 
 
 Is Manhood always strong ? 
 Still let that guardian angel speak ! 
 
 That godly fear prolong ! 
 
 'Midst Youth's hot stir and eager strife 
 Confirm its blessed sway ; 
 
 Through Manhood on to latest life 
 Still let the angel stay ! 
 
 Still may we tremble and adore, 
 
 Still hearken and obey ! 
 Nor e'er that godly dread give o'er, 
 
 Nor cast that shield away ! 
 1887. 
 
 CLXXV. 
 
 INSPIRING LOVE. 
 
 WHAT sweet peace those souls possesseth 
 In the midst of straits and snares ! 
 
 Bootlessly the world oppresseth, 
 Throngs its tasks and heaps its cares : 
 
 Lord ! they love Thee ; 
 All things Love endures and dares. 
 
of Praise. 257 
 
 Is some hardest task assigned them ? 
 
 With a song the task they greet ; 
 Bootless toils unshaken find them ; 
 
 Love the labour doth repeat : 
 Love prevaileth, 
 
 Brings Thee, Lord, the task complete. 
 
 'Gainst some old, o'erwhelming evil 
 How those valiant souls press on ! 
 
 In the fight with world and devil 
 
 Hurt they heed nor shock they shun : 
 
 Tis Thy pleasure ; 
 Therefore is the battle won. 
 
 How that soaring soul rejoices ! 
 
 How their joy those seekers blend ! 
 Sweetly swell those mingling voices ; 
 
 All aglow those songs ascend : 
 Love inspires them, 
 
 Love the holy fire doth lend. 
 
 See ! that stricken striver learneth 
 
 From each stroke more strong to grow ; 
 
 List ! that mourner meek discerneth 
 Grace and wisdom in his woe : 
 
 Love, Love only, 
 Can the lore divine bestow. 
 
 As that soul the flesh forsaketh, 
 
 Why doth she the parting greet ? 
 On that face upturned, why breaketh 
 
 That glad smile so wondrous sweet ? 
 " Jesu ! Jesu ! " 
 
 Still those faltering lips repeat. 
 
 17 
 
258 The Golden Chain 
 
 Love the King of Terrors greeteth, 
 
 Love the trust, the transport blends ; 
 Love the Name Beloved repeateth, 
 Love her beckoning Lord attends : 
 
 All o'ercoming, 
 All triumphant, Love ascends. 
 1887. 
 
 CLXXVI. 
 
 THE HOLY LEAGUE OF LOVE AND FEAR. 
 
 May Love exulting meetly cry, 
 
 " Lord ! I belong to Thee " ? 
 Yet meetly may not Fear reply, 
 
 " Good Lord ! deliver me " ? 
 
 Can Joy be never over-sure, 
 
 Love never over-bold ? 
 May souls be never too secure, 
 
 Sin ne'er regain its hold ? 
 
 Can Fear be never over-strong, 
 Nor our best strength impair ? 
 
 May saddened souls ne'er suffer wrong 
 From over-heedful care ? 
 
 Lord, when we feel most nigh to Thee, 
 
 Infuse the awe divine ! 
 Our farness when we sadliest see, 
 
 Bright let Thy Presence shine ! 
 
 Let Love's uplifting might appear, 
 
 If Fear our souls oppress ; 
 If Love presume, let godly Fear 
 
 Restrain our forwardness. 
 
1S87. 
 
 of Praise. 259 
 
 Our mingled heedfulness and cheer 
 
 Thy wisdom will approve ; 
 Thou biddest, Lord, Thy lovers fear, 
 
 Thou bidd'st Thy tremblers love. 
 
 Still let our souls be onward led 
 
 Betwixt this blessed Twain ; 
 Of godly Love, of godly Dread, 
 
 The holy league maintain. 
 
 Still let Thine awfulness appear ! 
 
 Ne'er let Thy grace remove ! 
 Ne'er take away restraining Fear ! 
 
 Still grant inspiring Love ! 
 
 CLXXVII. 
 
 FULL LOVE. 
 
 " La mesure par laquelk nous devons Dieu aimer, est 
 aimer le sans mesure" 
 
 " The measure whereby we should love God, is to love 
 Hi 711 without measure. n 
 
 LOUIS IX. 
 
 FAIN would I well employ my heart's poor treasure ; 
 
 Fain would I spend its sum of love aright : 
 How should my Lord be loved ? how large a measure 
 
 Shall I bestow upon the Infinite ? 
 
 Must I needs make division of my store, 
 Yes, save for the Divine One half my heart ? 
 
 Or shall I dare to spare a little more, 
 
 Yes, spend upon my Lord the larger part ? 
 
260 The Golden Chain 
 
 O ! shall no full embrace my Lord enfold ? 
 
 On wings half-eager shall I mount to Heaven ? 
 Some store of love and joy from Him withhold 
 
 For all the sweet things that His grace hath given ? 
 
 What ! shall His gracious gifts be loved the more 
 Because I love my God of grace the less ? 
 
 Here shall my heart a mightier stream outpour 
 For dropping there a stinted tenderness 
 
 Seize my whole heart, dear Lord ! take all its treasure ! 
 
 I give Thee nought unless I give Thee all : 
 O only loved aright in over-measure ! 
 
 Each tender soul a holy prodigal. 
 
 Be lavish, trembling heart ! how canst Thou spend 
 
 Excess of love upon the Infinite ? 
 Wouldst Thou more largely to His creatures lend ? 
 
 More dearly in the gracious Lord delight ! 
 
 Spare not to love Him ! take in Him all pleasure ! 
 
 With all dear reverence, blend all holy sweetness ! 
 O love Him without stint or bound or measure ! 
 
 How canst thou help but love His own in meetness ? 
 
 No longer, Lord, I reckon up my store ; 
 
 No more I ask how much shouldst Thou possess ; 
 Take all I have ! Lord, make that little more ! 
 
 When shall my love be meet and measureless ? 
 
 1851. 
 
of Praise. 261 
 
 CLXXVIII. 
 
 LIFE, LIGHT, AND LOVE. 
 
 (As blessings of man.) 
 
 NOT ours to dwell in sloth and sin, 
 Not ours in faintness life to live ; 
 But ours to drink its fulness in, 
 But ours its fulness forth to give : 
 
 To shrink not from the stress of life, 
 Nor all its sweetness yet to miss ; 
 To mingle in each glorious strife, 
 Nor always shun a bower of bliss ; 
 
 Each sense still meetly to employ, 
 Each power still nobly to put forth ; 
 To mingle purity with joy, 
 And draw from sorrow all its worth. 
 
 Not ours in darkness to abide ; 
 But ours to dwell in blessed light : 
 No beam to shun, no beam to hide ; 
 To entertain each vision bright : 
 
 To love the light around that streams 
 And maketh all things glad and fair ; 
 To bless the light within that beams 
 And spreadeth joy and beauty there : 
 
 The radiancy of Truth to woo, 
 The deeps of Wisdom to explore, 
 To search each region fair and new, 
 To live in light and long for more. 
 
262 The Golden Chain 
 
 Yet O ! not ours apart to shine, 
 To dwell in loneliness of light ; 
 But ours to spread the beams divine, 
 For others and with others bright : 
 
 Fulness of Life and Light to blend 
 With dearer fulness yet of Love ; 
 On each, on all its wealth to spend ; 
 Its depth, its breadth alike to prove : 
 
 Each sacred household tie to clasp, 
 Each soul selected fast to hold, 
 Humanity's warm hand to grasp, 
 Nor faintly beast and bird enfold. 
 
 Lord ! we would lift this love to Thee, 
 For Thee would live, for Thee would shine 
 O consecrate these blessed Three ! 
 Make Life and Light and Love divine ! 
 1886. 
 
 CLXXIX. 
 
 LIFE, LIGHT, AND LOVE. 
 (As gifts of God.) 
 
 THIS manifold," full Life to know, 
 Amidst this Light to dwell, 
 
 With this sweet fire of Love to glow, 
 What joy unspeakable ! 
 
 How each the others doth befit, 
 The others doth approve ! 
 
 In sense and sound how sweetly knit 
 Are Life and Light and Love ! 
 
of Praise. 263 
 
 These gifts, dear Lord, these blessed Three, 
 
 Are they not gifts of Thine ? 
 Doth not their sweetness come from Thee, 
 
 Their harmony divine ? 
 
 But yet more wondrously, my God, 
 
 These gifts Thou wouldst impart ; 
 Thyself, Thyself Thou hast bestowed, 
 
 Life, Light, and Love who art. 
 
 O Father dear, O Saviour sweet, 
 
 O tender Heavenly Dove, 
 In Thee this yearning soul may greet 
 
 Her Life, her Light, her Love. 
 
 When earthly Life and Light grow drear, 
 
 When human love grows chill, 
 Thou livest on, Thou shinest near j 
 
 My God ! Thou lovest still. 
 
 But ne'er to wane, the blessed Three 
 
 Possess the realm above ; 
 Is not that boundless empery 
 
 All Life, all Light, all Love ? 
 
 Each pulse of Life, each beam of Light 
 
 A gush of Love doth yield ; 
 In each glad saint, each angel bright 
 
 Their oneness is revealed. 
 
 Lord ! may that threefold bliss be mine ? 
 
 May I that oneness prove, 
 
 Like angels live and love and shine, 
 
 Yes, be all Life, Light, Love ? 
 1886. 
 
264 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLXXX. 
 
 LOVE AND PRAISE. 
 
 LORD ! we would praise Thee gloriously ; 
 
 The power of Love impart ; 
 O ! full of praise the mouth must be 
 
 When Love doth fill the heart. 
 
 Our feeble strains grow sweet and strong 
 When Thy dear Love doth move ; 
 
 O weak the praise, O dull the song 
 That is not born of Love ! 
 
 Thou winnest cheerful strains from us ; 
 
 'Tis happy Love that sings, 
 'Tis Love assured and rapturous, 
 
 'Tis Love with Angel-wings. 
 
 Our strains by sin are mournful made ; 
 
 'Tis stricken Love doth mourn ; 
 'Tis Love in tears that it hath strayed ; 
 
 'Tis Love that would return. 
 
 Our lowly strains ascend to Thee ; 
 
 'Tis Love that trembling soars, 
 That faints beneath Thy majesty, 
 
 And blent with awe adores. 
 
 The Love that smiles, that weeps, that fears, 
 Must needs unloose the tongue ; 
 
 And still the Heavenly Helper hears 
 If Love be in the song. 
 
of Praise. 265 
 
 Faint faltering praise ! how far beneath 
 
 The harmonies above ! 
 Those strains divine the Angels breathe 
 
 Because the Angels love. 
 
 Lord ! let Thy Love o'erflow my heart, 
 
 Then shall it seize my tongue ; 
 Then may I bear melodious part 
 
 In Heaven's eternal song. 
 1849. 
 
 CLXXXI. 
 
 GRACE AND GRATITUDE. 
 
 LORD ! come too many gifts from Thee 
 
 For us to mark each gift ? 
 Down streams Thy grace too plenteously 
 
 Our spirits up to lift ? 
 
 Thy light would glorify our lot, 
 
 Thy love besets our way ; 
 And yet Thine ingrates feel Thee not, 
 
 And yet Thy Pilgrims stray. 
 
 Still sometimes glorious grows the road 
 And grateful raptures come ; 
 
 All close and tender feels our God, — 
 All near appears our home. 
 
 Some sweet surprise our souls doth take 
 Straight to the heavenly throne : — 
 
 Some sudden blaze of bliss doth make 
 The Lord's bright presence known. 
 
266 The Golden Chain 
 
 Or in some mighty woe awhile 
 Our gracious God appears, 
 
 And strangely beams the Eternal Smile 
 Amidst the mortal tears. 
 
 Alas these visits rare and rude 
 Unto Thy Holy Place !— 
 
 Our weak wild bursts of gratitude — 
 Thy calm, clear deeps of grace ! 
 
 O never shall Thy mercy make 
 Our souls to rest in Thine, 
 
 Nor mortal gratitude partake 
 The flow of Grace Divine ? 
 
 When shall our grateful raptures rise 
 Fast as Thy grace descends, 
 
 And link to endless harmonies 
 The love that never ends ? 
 1849. 
 
 CLXXXII. 
 
 LOWLY AMBITION. 
 
 LORD ! when I all things would possess 
 
 I crave but to be Thine ; 
 O ! lowly is the loftiness 
 
 Of these desires divine. 
 
 What would my panting heart but drink 
 Some drops of Thy dear grace ? 
 
 What would my mounting soul but sink 
 Into her Lord's embrace ? 
 
1850. 
 
 of Praise. 267 
 
 Each gift but helps my soul to learn 
 
 How boundless is Thy store ; 
 I go from strength to strength and yearn 
 
 For Thee, my Helper, more. 
 
 The heavenly journey I begin — 
 More glorious shines the road j 
 
 Some visit of Thy grace I win — 
 More wondrous grows my God. 
 
 How can my soul divinely soar, 
 How keep the shining way, — 
 
 And not more tremblingly adore. 
 And not more humbly pray ? 
 
 The more I triumph in Thy gifts, 
 The more I wait on Thee ; 
 
 The grace that mightily uplifts 
 Most sweetly humbleth me. 
 
 I fain would ask, I fain would know- 
 Still of my Lord I learn ; 
 
 O ! if my soul do holier grow, 
 The more for Thee I yearn. 
 
 The Heaven where I would stand complete 
 
 My lowly love shall see ; 
 And stronger grow the yearning sweet, 
 
 My Holy One, for Thee. 
 
268 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLXXXIII. 
 
 SWEET SUBJECTION. 
 
 DEAR Lord and Master mine, 
 Thy happy servant see ! 
 My Conqueror ! with what joy divine 
 Thy captive clings to Thee ! 
 
 I love Thy yoke to wear, 
 To feel Thy gracious bands, 
 Sweetly restrained by Thy care 
 And happy in Thy hands. 
 
 No bar would I remove ; 
 No bond would I unbind j 
 Within the limits of Thy love 
 Full liberty I find. 
 
 I would not walk alone, 
 
 But still with Thee, my God, 
 At every step my blindness own 
 And ask of Thee the road. 
 
 The weakness I enjoy 
 
 That casts me on Thy breast j 
 The conflicts that Thy strength employ 
 Make me divinely blest. 
 
 Dear Lord and Master mine, 
 Still keep Thy servant true ! 
 My Guardian and my Guide Divine, 
 Bring, bring Thy pilgrim through ! 
 
i868. 
 
 of Praise. 269 
 
 " My Conqueror and my King," 1 
 Still keep me in Thy train, 
 And with Thee Thy glad captive bring 
 When Thou return'st to reign ! 
 
 CLXXXIV. 
 
 THE GLORY OF INFIRMITY. 
 " When I am weak then am I strong" 
 
 EACH gift, dear Lord, by Thee bestowed 
 
 Should lift a heart to Thee ; 
 The souls Thou richly hast endowed, 
 
 May they not gladsome be ? 
 
 Beauty may lift to Thee, First Fair, 
 The eye Thou makest bright ; 
 
 Well may Thy mighty men declare 
 Their Lord's inspiring might. 
 
 How can Thy sages of Thee learn 
 
 And not enjoy Thy lore ? 
 How can Thy prophets with Thee burn 
 
 Nor forth their raptures pour ? 
 
 How meetly their melodious breath 
 
 Thy happy angels bring ! 
 But, Lord, this weakling triumpheth ; 
 
 Thy stricken servants sing. 
 
 1 " My dear Almighty Lord, 
 
 My Conqueror and my King." 
 
 WATTS. 
 
270 The Golden Chain 
 
 Dost Thou afflict them with some thorn ? 
 
 Thy grace the smart attends ; 
 Is theirs some lack that men do mourn ? 
 
 Thy fulness makes amends. 
 
 Blest weakness that becometh might ! 
 
 Kind stroke that sweet doth fall ! 
 O glory of Thy soul most bright ! 
 
 O gladness of Thy Paul ! 
 
 Lord ! doth some thorn with us abide ? 
 
 Are we in weakness clad ? 
 Hast Thou some precious thing denied 
 
 That makes our brethren glad ? 
 
 How can we wish the thorn away 
 Thou steepest in Thy grace, 
 
 That winneth us Thy sweetest stay, 
 Thy most divine embrace ? 
 
 The stroke, for tears that meetest seemed, 
 Takes from Thy smile delight ; 
 
 The weakness that a woe we deemed 
 Becomes the Lord's own might. 
 
 Thy stricken ones how rapturous ! 
 
 Thy weaklings, Lord, how strong ! 
 To Him, who strikes and strengthens us, 
 
 We raise our gladdest song. 
 
 1855- 
 
of Praise. 271 
 
 CLXXXV. 
 
 " Not My will but Thine be doner 
 
 METHOUGHT my soul had learned to love 
 
 Thy gracious sharpness, Lord ; 
 Methought the glory from above 
 
 O'er all my lot was poured. 
 
 Methought Thine Angels, Lord, were sweet, 
 
 Whate'er the news they bore ; 
 Methought Thy pleasure I could greet 
 
 Nor wait for grace in store. 
 
 Have I not seen the desert drear 
 
 Bloom into Holy Ground, 
 And close beside the sepulchre 
 
 Thy brightest Angels found ? 
 
 O faithless soul that would not take 
 
 Thy sad-robed Angels in, 
 Whom the bright raiment glad must make, 
 
 Ere access they may win ! 
 
 At once Thy bidding to fulfil 
 
 My stricken soul was loth ; 
 With the first sharpness of Thy will 
 
 My rebel will was wroth. 
 
 I waited till the sweetness came, 
 
 Till clear the glory shone ; 
 Ah ! then I glorified Thy name ; 
 
 Ah ! then my God was known. 
 
272 The Golden Chain 
 
 When in Thy paths shall I delight, 
 Ere flowers make glad my feet ? 
 
 When shall Thy stroke upon me light 
 And still my song be sweet ? 
 1852. 
 
 CLXXXVI. 
 
 ALONE WITH THE FATHER. 
 "Jam not alone, because the Father is with me." 
 
 ROCKINGHAM. 
 
 O AWFUL hour, when all alone 
 My soul unto her foes is given ; 
 
 When not a smile my path doth own, 
 And not a star shines in my Heaven ! 
 
 O trembling soul ! thou back wouldst turn, 
 Wouldst from the lonely terror shrink. 
 
 This awful lore I need not learn ; — 
 This bitter cup — O must I drink ? 
 
 Must I, my God ? — But wherefore shine 
 The depths of my dark loneliness ? 
 
 O ! what can make this hour divine — 
 This shuddering soul so strangely bless ? 
 
 That vision bright ! it fills mine eye, — 
 The same my Saviour saw of old ! 
 
 O Father mine ! Thou standest by, 
 
 And Thy dear hand the cup doth hold. 
 
 O vision bright ! no more my soul 
 
 The loneliness doth lonely think ; 
 
 Thou givest me the bitter bowl — 
 
 It must be sweet, — I smile and drink ! 
 1849. 
 
of Praise. 273 
 
 CLXXXVII. 
 
 THE WORLD OVERCOME. 
 
 " In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good 
 cheer, I have overcome the ivorld" 
 
 AH ! wherefore fall my tears so fast ? 
 Why, Saviour, is my soul o'ercast ? 
 Why should the world my conqueror be ? 
 The world was overcome by Thee ! 
 
 What sorrows can possess with fear 
 The soul Thou biddest be of cheer ? 
 O ! vanquished can that trembler be 
 Thou tellest of Thy victory ? 
 
 Thou for whom the strife was strong, 
 Thou who hast sung the conqueror's song ; 
 Uphold me through the holy war ! 
 
 Make me a smiling conqueror. 
 
 Thy bidding is not vainly sweet ; 
 Thy cheerful soul my soul doth greet ; 
 Thou vanquishest — my foes are down, 
 For me the cross, for me the crown ! 
 
 1 fight upon Thy battle-field, 
 
 Thy holy arms are mine to wield \ — 
 Against me comes each foe of Thine — 
 Repeat Thy victory in mine ! 
 
 18 
 
2^4 The Golden Chain 
 
 Weak world ! in vain thy powers uprise ; 
 Thy sorrows vainly melt mine eyes ; 
 This bitter life my Master led — 
 This world my Saviour vanquished ! 
 
 Dear Conqueror ! Thy sweet words I hear, 
 Mine, mine the fulness of their cheer ! 
 I too the world may overcome — 
 I too may win the Heavenly Home. 
 
 CLXXXVIII. 
 
 THE SOUL SUSTAINED. 
 " / know that my Redeemer liveth" 
 
 WHAT though a pilgrim faint and worn 
 
 This vale of tears I tread ; 
 What though o'er vanished joys I mourn, 
 
 O'er friends and lovers fled ; 
 I know He lives, I know He loves, 
 
 Mine own Redeemer dear ! 
 His tender voice each doubt reproves ; 
 
 He smiles away each tear. 
 
 What though these rebel lusts would fain 
 
 Regain this roving heart ; 
 What though these cleaving sins again 
 
 Put me to shame and smart j 
 Mine own Redeemer lives, who bore 
 
 My sins upon the tree, 
 To plead for me His travail sore, 
 
 His precious death for me. 
 
1864. 
 
 of Praise. 275 
 
 What though I sadly seek the Lord, 
 
 What though I faintly pray, 
 And feebly grasp the Spirit's sword, 
 
 And falter 'midst the fray ; 
 He liveth, my Redeemer dear, 
 
 His breath with mine to blend ; 
 My living Saviour draweth near 
 
 Of His own might to lend. 
 
 What though the Tempter for this heart 
 
 Contrive His subtlest snare ; 
 What though the Foe no fiery dart, 
 
 No blinding terror spare ; 
 He lives who overcame that Foe, 
 
 Who made that Tempter flee ; 
 He lives again to bring him low, 
 
 To vanquish him in me. 
 
 What though across my way doth flow 
 
 That river dark and deep ; 
 What though 'midst those cold waves the foe 
 
 Watch 'gainst this trembler keep : 
 My living Lord doth beckoning stand 
 
 There on the heavenly shore ; 
 And sweetly reaches forth His hand 
 
 To help His trembler o'er. 
 
 He shows me my prepared place : 
 
 Unto His joy I come : 
 For me the brightness of His face, 
 
 The sweetness of His home ! 
 With eyes enamoured I adore 
 
 The Lord who died for me, 
 And face to face for evermore 
 
 Mine own Redeemer see. 
 
276 The Golden Chain 
 
 CLXXXIX. 
 
 GODLY SORROW. 
 
 SORE the burdens, Lord, we bear, 
 Bitter, Lord, the tears we weep ; 
 
 Once Thy happy ones we were — 
 Faithful now Thy mourners keep ; 
 
 Meekly be each burden borne — 
 
 Help us holily to mourn. 
 
 No sweet gifts do we receive ? 
 
 Nay, behold Thy bitter cup ! 
 Have we nothing left to give ? 
 
 Lord ! our tears we offer up ! 
 No bright garland do we wear ? 
 Nay ; Thy burdens, Lord, we bear. 
 
 Humbly clasp we each dread gift — 
 Lo ! the burden groweth light : 
 
 Heavenward our sad eyes we lift — 
 In our tears what strange delight ! 
 
 Joy of grief Thy love will make, 
 
 If in love our grief we take. 
 
 From our want flows precious store ; 
 
 In our grief Thy grace appears ; 
 Heavenly wings, those burdens sore, 
 
 Dews divine, those bitter tears ! 
 Stricken faith hath glory given, 
 Sorrow lets us into Heaven. 
 1849. 
 
of Praise. 277 
 
 cxc. 
 SORROW UNDER THE EYE OF GOD. 
 
 SHALL not I seek Thee sorrowing 
 Whom full of cheer I sought ; 
 
 Yes, Lord, to Thee my sadness bring 
 To whom my joy was brought ? 
 
 Into my Garden of Delight 
 
 My God I welcome made ; 
 My gladness sought the Gladdener's sight ; 
 
 Before the Lord I played. 
 
 Thy grace my gladness made more glad j 
 I smiled beneath Thy smile : 
 
 But now this heart is faint and sad ; 
 Stay with me, Lord, the while ! 
 
 These tender tears, these yearning sighs 
 From Thee I would not keep ; 
 
 I lift to Thee my streaming eyes ; 
 Before my Lord I weep. 
 
 Didst Thou not knit these sacred ties 
 Which, sundered, rend this heart ? 
 
 Did not the love from Thee arise 
 Which, stricken, yields such smart ? 
 
 I needs jnust weep, I needs must grieve, 
 Yet on to Thee would press ; 
 
 Thy weeping worshipper receive ! 
 Thy mourning seeker bless ! 
 
278 The Golden Chain 
 
 I weep before Thee, Saviour dear, 
 Who sweetly weptst with me : 
 
 Shall not each consecrated tear 
 A precious offering be ? 
 
 I ask Thee not these tears to stay, 
 
 To bid this grief depart ; 
 This sorrow at Thy feet I lay ; 
 Accept this bruised heart ! 
 1874. 
 
 CXCI. 
 
 " Pray without Ceasing" 
 
 HOW can I, Lord, abide with Thee 
 Unless with Thee I speak ? 
 
 How can I love Thee verily 
 And not Thy converse seek ? 
 
 How can I glow beneath Thy smile 
 
 Nor tell Thee I am glad ? 
 How can I lose Thy face awhile 
 
 Nor tell Thee I am sad ? 
 
 How can I mourn my darkened way 
 Nor light from Thee implore ? 
 
 How can I feel my strength decay 
 Nor ask my God for more ? 
 
 How can I weep by sin o'erthrown 
 
 Nor ask Thy help to rise ? 
 How yearn to be once more Thine own 
 
 Nor send to Thee my sighs ? 
 

 i8;6. 
 
 of Praise. 279 
 
 How can I live unless I pray ? 
 
 How breathe the heavenly air 
 Unless I boldly soar away 
 
 On the strong wings of prayer ? 
 
 Doth not my soul, dear Lord, decline 
 
 Whene'er I faintly pray, — 
 When on that outstretched hand of Thine 
 
 A weak cold clasp I lay ? 
 
 My life were stopped if Prayer should fail ; 
 
 O soul of mine, pray on ! 
 Pray, weakling, till thou dost prevail — 
 
 Pray till thy tears are gone ! 
 
 Pray till Thy Lord's own strength is thine 
 
 Still sweetly, strongly pray ! 
 For ever breathe the air divine ! 
 
 Clasp thy dear Lord alway ! 
 
 CXCII. 
 
 THE WALK WITH GOD. 
 11 Order my footsteps by Thy law" 
 
 O ! NOT alone in saddest plight 
 My Lord do I require ; 
 
 Not only in the thickest fight 
 And in the sevenfold fire : 
 
 Not only when the world invites, 
 In all its pomp arrayed : 
 
 Not only when the Tempter fights 
 In all his terrors clad. 
 
280 The Golden Chain 
 
 I would not for some sorest smart 
 Keep Thy dear grace in store, 
 
 Nor for my deeply darkened heart 
 Reserve Thy Word's blest lore. 
 
 When forth I go, not then alone, 
 Lord, would I walk with Thee j 
 
 Not only when the sun goes down 
 I crave Thy company. 
 
 Not only for some task sublime 
 
 Thy succour I implore ; 
 Not only on some solemn time 
 
 Thy Holy Spirit pour ! 
 
 ne'er can I my Helper spare ; 
 I want Thee all the way ; 
 
 1 want my Saviour everywhere ; 
 
 I want Thee every day. 
 
 Lord ! for each daily task of mine 
 I want Thy quickening power, 
 
 I want Thy smile away to shine 
 The trouble of each hour. 
 
 I want each joy from Thee to spring, 
 Each joy for Thee more bright ; 
 
 Each footstep of Thine ordering, 
 All light seen in Thy light. 
 
 I want Thee through the Vale of Tears, 
 
 All up the Heavenly road j 
 Each moment of the Eternal years 
 Shall I possess my God. 
 1856. 
 
of Praise. 281 
 
 CXCIII. 
 
 CONFERENCE WITH GOD. 
 
 SPEAK, Lord, unto Thy people speak 
 
 As Thou didst speak of old ! 
 On us let Thine own presence break, 
 
 To us Thy will be told ! 
 
 Speak, Lord, unto our inmost heart 
 With Thine own Voice Divine ! 
 
 To us Thy very mind impart, 
 Our every task assign ! 
 
 They spoke with Thee, Thy saints of yore ; 
 
 Thus, thus would we confer : 
 They gathered thence their life and lore ; 
 
 Our souls thus guide and stir ! 
 
 Not less our longing hearts inspire, 
 
 Our onward steps uphold ! 
 Not less would we Thy will enquire ; 
 
 Not less Thy will unfold ! 
 
 Not only our own souls' affairs 
 
 We bring before our God : 
 We come with larger hopes and prayers ; 
 
 We send our souls abroad. 
 
 We ask Thee each for victory 
 
 In the dread fight with sin ; 
 But foreign conquerors we would be, 
 
 A wider field would win. 
 
282 The Golden Chain 
 
 Amidst the world Thy cross we bear, 
 And cry " Thy Kingdom come ! " 
 
 Would have Thee reign and triumph there,- 
 Not only here at home. 
 
 About Thy Kingdom we confer, 
 Thou King of kings, with Thee ; 
 
 O send us forth aglow, astir 
 From this high colloquy ! 
 
 Let holier living witness bear 
 
 To life thereby bestowed ; 
 And words and deeds of might declare 
 
 Our conference with God. 
 
 cxciv. 
 
 DIVINE TEACHING. 
 " God! Thou hast taught me from viy youth" 
 
 I CANNOT, Lord, the time recall 
 When Thou wast not with me ; 
 
 Full beams with light celestial 
 The Realm of Memory. 
 
 Yes, visits sweet mine earliest years 
 Of Thy dear grace received ; 
 
 Thou spokest in my wondering ears ; 
 I hearkened and believed. 
 
 Thou wonnest for Thyself a part 
 
 In all the lore I won ; 
 Thou wast not hidden from my heart 
 
 As light into it shone. 
 

 of Praise. 283 
 
 When Nature my first wonder woke, 
 
 My soul Thy presence moved ; 
 The more her glory on me broke, 
 
 The more my Lord I loved. 
 
 When poets sang and sages taught, 
 
 Thy Voice Divine I heard ; 
 When saints and martyrs on me wrought, 
 
 Thy might my spirit stirred. 
 
 Whene'er my childhood went astray, 
 
 Thy voice was disobeyed ; 
 Whene'er I followed the right way, 
 
 My soul Thy bidding swayed. 
 
 This heart Thou madest to abhor 
 
 Each sin by Thee abhorred, 
 And in all goodness to adore 
 
 The glory of my Lord. 
 
 Thou taughtest me through love bereaved, 
 
 Through sin intensely mourned : 
 Whate'er the lesson I received, 
 
 Still, still of Thee I learned. 
 
 From me no lore wouldst Thou withhold, 
 
 From me no wonder keep ; 
 Dear Lord ! it pleased Thee to unfold 
 
 Thy love's divinest deep. 
 
 Yes, in the Son of Thy delight 
 
 Thou sweetly didst express 
 The depth of Thine own love, the height 
 
 Of Thine own holiness. 
 
284 The Golden Chain 
 
 Still hast Thou taught me from my youth ; 
 
 Ne'er give Thy teaching o'er ! 
 Sweet Spirit, yield me all Thy truth 
 
 And lend me all Thy lore ! 
 
 cxcv. 
 FAITHFUL UTTERANCE. 
 
 " Hitherto I have declared Thy wondrous works. Now 
 also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake 
 me not until I have showed Thy strength unto this 
 ge?ieratio?i, and Thy power unto every one that is to 
 come? 
 
 LORD ! was it sweet Thy voice to hear, 
 
 Thy glory to discern,' 
 Thy Holy Name to love and fear, 
 
 Thy blessed lore to learn ? 
 
 Not less the sweetness to bestow 
 
 The lore thus sweetly learned, 
 To speak the name I knew, to show 
 
 The glory I discerned. 
 
 I have not hidden, Lord, Thy lore, 
 
 Thy glory forth have showed ; 
 The joy wherewith my soul ran o'er 
 
 Hath in my song o'erflowed. 
 
 Each truth it pleased Thee to impart 
 Still from my lips would break ; 
 
 The word Thou puttest in my heart 
 I still have striven to speak. 
 
of Praise. 285 
 
 Wilt Thou no more Thy truth unfold 
 
 Now when my hairs are grey ? 
 Wilt Thou from me Thy word withhold, 
 
 Thy Spirit take away ? 
 
 Still lend me, Lord, that lore of Thine, 
 
 Still as of old inspire ! 
 Still mingle with these songs of mine 
 
 Thy holy, heavenly fire ! 
 
 Still would I wisdom of Thee win 
 
 And tell the world its worth ; 
 Still would I take Thy glory in 
 
 And give Thy glory forth. 
 
 This yearning soul of mine upraise 
 
 Thy nearness to express, 
 To teach these doubting, drooping days 
 
 The Eternal Righteousness ; 
 
 This fainting, faltering time to tell 
 
 What might Thy Spirit wakes ; 
 Its sadness and its gloom to quell, 
 
 With mirth Thy Spirit makes ; 
 
 To point its unslaked thirst once more 
 
 Unto the Spirit's springs, 
 And bid its shrinking soul upsoar 
 
 Upon the Spirit's wings j 
 
 The rites, the forms to thrust away 
 
 Wherewith men shun Thy light, 
 And pour upon them the full day 
 
 Of Thine own Presence Bright. 
 
286 The Golden Chain 
 
 Speak through me, Lord, nor only now- 
 Lift up, bear on my song ! 
 
 A long-abiding life bestow — 
 A far-off flight prolong ! 
 
 May after-time this strain repeat 
 
 In witness of Thy might, 
 Yes, gladlier, Lord, Thy glory greet, 
 
 Because of my delight. 
 
 CXCVI. 
 
 THE TRUE SERVANT. 
 " O Lord, truly I am Thy servant." 
 
 O ! NOT to fill the mouth of fame 
 My longing soul is stirred ; 
 
 O give me a diviner name : 
 Call me Thy servant, Lord ! 
 
 Sweet title that delighteth me — 
 Rank earnestly implored ; 
 
 O ! what can reach the dignity 
 Of Thy true servants, Lord ? 
 
 No longer would my soul be known 
 As self-sustained and free ; 
 
 O ! not mine own, O ! not mine own, 
 Lord ! I belong to Thee ! 
 
 In each aspiring burst of prayer 
 Sweet leave my soul would ask 
 
 Thine every burden, Lord, to bear, 
 To do Thine every task. 
 
:S49- 
 
 of Praise. 287 
 
 For ever, Lord, Thy servant choose, — 
 
 Nought of Thy claim abate ! 
 The glorious name I would not lose, 
 
 Nor change the sweet estate. 
 
 In life, in death, on Earth, in Heaven 
 
 No other name for me ! 
 The same sweet style and title given 
 
 Through all eternity. 
 
 cxcvu. 
 
 THE GREAT TASKMASTER. 
 
 " As ever in my great Taskmaster's eye." 
 
 MILTON. 
 
 ALAS this travail sore ! 
 Alas this weary road ! 
 Fain would I give the labour o'er 
 And drop the heavy load. 
 
 How soon this toil doth tire ! 
 How slack these hands of mine ! 
 Great Taskmaster, Thine own require ! 
 Is not the work divine ? 
 
 Thy bidding finds me slack ; 
 Thy business I delay : 
 Upon Thine errands I turn back : 
 I loiter on Thy way. 
 
 'Tis Thou the call dost send ; 
 'Tis Thou the task dost set : 
 Thou wilt bring forth the happy end ; 
 Thou wilt the glory get. 
 
288 The Golden Chain 
 
 Thy weakling clothe with might, 
 Thy sluggard, Lord, upstir ! 
 Thy trembler furnish for the fight ; 
 Constrain Thy loiterer ! 
 
 I faint ; but Thou art nigh : 
 I fail ; but Thou art true : 
 I hail my great Taskmaster's eye 
 And straight Thy work pursue. 
 
 The work to Thee I bring 
 
 Bowed down with shame and fear ; 
 Thou smilest on mine offering : 
 
 Thou sendest down Thy cheer. 
 
 Still let Thy strength be given ! 
 Still let Thy smile be won ! 
 Then in the hearing of all Heaven 
 Thy voice will cry, " Well done." 
 
 There, there Thou wilt be still 
 My Taskmaster Divine, 
 And smile as gladsome I fulfil 
 Each sweet behest of Thine. 
 1868. 
 
 CXCVIII. 
 
 ABIDING WORK. 
 
 "Establish Thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the 
 work of our hands establish Thou it. ,} 
 
 AH mortals who so soon decay ! 
 
 Ah mourners who such sorrow know ! 
 Ah beauty only for a day ! 
 
 Ah strength that cometh but to go ! 
 
of Praise. 289 
 
 Ah weaklings from whom all things glide, 
 In whose faint grasp abideth nought ! 
 
 Yet, Lord, Thou makest to abide 
 
 Some work these very hands have wrought. 
 
 These very weaklings not in vain 
 
 May spend their strength, may bring their best ; 
 Of these poor earthlings may remain 
 
 Some lowly toil, some witness blest. 
 
 These mortals may some work bequeath 
 Too fair and too divine to die, 
 
 That blessedness o'er earth will breathe 
 And glory bring to Thee, Most High. 
 
 Dear Lord ! we would no longer mourn 
 Our life so short, our joys so fleet : 
 
 O ! may Thy servants only yearn 
 To lay some labour at Thy feet ! 
 
 No stinted tasks would we implore ; 
 
 But leave us not to toil in vain ! 
 Spare us, dear Lord, no travail sore, 
 
 But grant our labour to remain. 
 
 Thy beauty with our business blend ! 
 Thy wisdom mingle with our lore ! 
 Each work of ours the glory lend 
 To bring Thee glory evermore. 
 1856. 
 
 !9 
 
290 The Golden Chain 
 
 cxcix. 
 THE LORD'S BATTLE. 
 
 EACH mighty power of Evil 
 
 How doth the Lord assail ? 
 'Gainst world and flesh and devil 
 
 How doth the Lord prevail ? 
 How doth the Strength Supernal 
 
 Come down into the fight ? 
 How dost Thou, King Eternal, 
 
 Win victory for the Right ? 
 
 Hast Thou not been fulfilling 
 
 On earth a work divine ? 
 Hath not a people willing, 
 
 A good, Old Cause been Thine ? 
 Hast Thou not champions moved 
 
 To uphold Thy righteous laws, 
 Thy people greatly proved 
 
 In service of Thy Cause ? 
 
 Some mighty man Thou fillest 
 
 With holy hate of wrong ; 
 Some tender soul Thou thrillest 
 
 With yearnings sweet and strong ; 
 This woe he must diminish, 
 
 This wrong he must o'erthrow 
 This warfare he must finish,- 
 
 This evil power lay low. 
 
 Aglow with Light Eternal 
 
 He flashes on the night ; 
 Arrayed in Strength Supernal 
 
 He mingles in the fight. 
 
i88i. 
 
 of Praise. 291 
 
 Thy voice in his foredoometh ; 
 
 Thy might in him subdues ; 
 Thy fire in him consumeth ; 
 
 Thy light in him renews. 
 
 The strength by Thee conferred 
 
 To others he imparts ; 
 The fire within him stirred 
 
 Doth kindle other hearts. 
 By glowing souls attended 
 
 He rushes on the foe ; 
 The Right is well defended, 
 
 The evil power laid low. 
 
 That army, Lord, Thou leadest, 
 
 That warfare Thou dost share ; 
 That victory Thou speedest ; 
 
 The Lord of Hosts is there. 
 With faithful souls and fervent 
 
 The Voice Divine ne'er fails ; 
 Still hearkeneth each true servant, 
 
 And still Thy Cause prevails. 
 
 cc. 
 THE LORD'S HELPERS. 
 Come to the help of the Lord against the mighty." 1 
 
 BEHOLD this sore oppression ! 
 
 How groan these helpless slaves ! 
 How Falsehood holds possession 
 
 While Truth doth lurk in caves ! 
 How W T rong the sceptre beareth 
 
 While Right doth w r ear the chain ! 
 How Superstition glareth ! 
 
 What Heathen gloom doth reign ! 
 
292 The Golden Chain 
 
 Shall not these woes be lightened ? 
 
 Up, steadfast souls and true ! 
 Shall not this gloom be brightened ? 
 
 The Lord hath kindled you. 
 His might within you dwelleth ; 
 
 His love within you burns : 
 His wrath within you swelleth ; 
 
 His ruth within you yearns. 
 
 The Lord in love who sought you 
 
 His people's love would task ; 
 He who deliverance brought you 
 
 His people's help doth ask. 
 His arms are round about you ; 
 
 His strength in you is stored ; 
 He would not win without you, 
 
 Your own Almighty Lord. 
 
 Through you He would deliver ; 
 
 Through you He would uplift ; 
 Through you would the Great Giver 
 
 Bestow each glorious gift. 
 Uprise when He doth waken ! 
 
 Go forth with Him along ! 
 Shake every power unshaken 
 
 Of Falsehood and of Wrong ! 
 
 Yield Him each nobler passion, 
 
 Each power of each true soul — 
 Help Him anew to fashion 
 
 The ages as they roll ! 
 God-loving and God-fearing 
 
 March foremost in His train ! 
 Hasten His bright appearing, 
 
 His everlasting reign ! 
 
i88i. 
 
 of Praise. 293 
 
 Help Him to take possession — 
 
 Help Him to bring in peace — 
 Help Him to break oppression — 
 
 And righteousness increase ! 
 Help Him to make the story 
 
 Of Earth more glad and bright ; 
 Then pass into His glory 
 
 And mingle with His light ! 
 
 cci. 
 
 LIGHT-BEARERS. 
 
 " Let your light so shi?ie before men that they may see your 
 good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 
 
 DEAR Lord ! Thy light Thou dost not hide : 
 
 Thy glory will not stay at home : 
 With us Thy glory may abide ; 
 
 Thy precious things to us may come. 
 
 But they are given us not to hoard ; 
 
 Thy light may not be all our own ; 
 Thou meanest not Thy glory, Lord, 
 
 To cheer one dwelling-place alone. 
 
 Thou lightest souls to beam around ; 
 
 Thou settest them to shine on high ; 
 Thy children in Thy work abound 
 
 And still their Father glorify. 
 
 O sweet the Father's smile to win ! 
 
 What joy, dear Lord, to shine with Thee, 
 Thy precious things to welcome in 
 
 And entertain Thy radiancy ! 
 
294 The Golden Chain 
 
 But O more sweet for Thee to shine, 
 To pass Thy smile, Thy blessing on, 
 
 To bear about the light divine, 
 
 And shine as the dear Saviour shone ! 
 
 In us Thy beauty may be seen ; 
 
 By us may be proclaimed Thy love ; 
 Thy light in us may wanderers win : 
 
 Thy grace to us may rebels move. 
 
 Lord ! Thou hast given, and yet we hoard ; 
 
 Thy glory half in vain has come ; 
 Thy light so lovingly outpoured 
 
 We loveless niggards keep at home. 
 
 Father ! stiil shine on us from Heaven 
 And make us for Thy glory shine ; 
 
 We would not keep one gift ungiven, 
 We would not hide one beam of Thine. 
 1855. 
 
 ecu. 
 WE ARE SEEKING THE LORD. 
 
 O SAINTS of old ! not yours alone 
 These words most high shall be : 
 
 We take the glory for our own ; 
 Lord ! we are seeking Thee. 
 
 Not only when ascends the song, 
 And soundeth sweet the Word ;' 
 
 Not only 'midst the Sabbath throng 
 Our souls would seek the Lord. 
 
of Praise. 295 
 
 We mingle with another throng 
 
 And other words we speak : 
 To other business we belong : 
 
 But still our Lord we seek. 
 
 We would not to our daily task 
 
 Without our God repair, 
 But in the world Thy presence ask, 
 
 And seek Thy glory there. 
 
 Would we against some wrong be bold 
 And break some yoke abhorred ? 
 
 .Amidst the strife and stir behold 
 The seekers of the Lord. 
 
 Yes, we who every yoke would break, 
 
 Who every soul would free ; 
 The world our calling doth mistake : 
 
 Lord ! we are seeking Thee. 
 
 O ! mean may seem the work we do 
 
 And vile the name we earn : 
 But Thou hast eyes to look us through : 
 
 Thy seekers, Lord, discern ! 
 
 We lose, we lack that men may gain : 
 
 We suffer and we smile ; 
 But why this joy amidst the pain ? 
 
 We seek our Lord the while. 
 
 As on Thy glorious works we gaze, 
 
 Behold Thy Seekers there ! 
 Our gladness in their beauty raise 
 
 To joy in Thee, First Fair ! 
 
296 The Golden Chain 
 
 Yes, everywhere, yes, every day, 
 Thy grace is still outpoured ; 
 
 We work, we watch, we strive, we pray : 
 Behold Thy Seekers, Lord ! 
 1848. 
 
 ccm. 
 " Ye are a Royal Priesthood" 
 
 YE people of the Lord, draw near 
 
 In all your dignity divine ; 
 Before your Father ye appear : 
 
 Beneath your Saviour's smile ye shine. 
 
 He made you priests, He made you kings : 
 
 These robes He wrought, these crowns He wove ; 
 
 He gave you all these glorious things, 
 Himself, the great High Priest above. 
 
 For all, the bars of brass He rent, 
 For all, He opes the shining doors, 
 
 For all, the spotless robes He meant ; 
 On all, the holy oil He pours. 
 
 Come gladsome in the robes He wrought ! 
 
 Come glorious with the crowns He wove ! 
 Ne'er from your high estate be brought — 
 
 Ne'er from His full embrace remove ! 
 
 Yield up to no usurping priest 
 
 One gift that cost the Lord so dear : 
 
 Enjoy the fulness of His feast ! 
 
 Make at His table gladsome cheer. 
 
[8 55 . 
 
 of Praise. 297 
 
 In all your dignity appear 
 
 While ye show forth its awful price : 
 O priests of God, draw near, draw near ! 
 
 Make of yourselves sweet sacrifice ! 
 
 Your bodies yield, your store present, 
 Your souls bestow, your spirits bring. 
 
 All odorous with the incense lent 
 By the High Priest's one offering ! 
 
 cciv. 
 
 THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES. 
 
 " Having so great a cloud of wit?iesses set aroimd us, let 
 us run with patience the race set before us. " 
 
 LORD ! wax Thy lovers cold ? 
 
 Lord ! grow Thy servants slack ? 
 Dost Thou Thy strength withhold ? 
 Do they Thy presence lack ? 
 Doth Faith decay ? 
 Doth valour fail ? 
 Doth sloth bear sway ? 
 Doth fear prevail ? 
 
 With wonders wrought of old 
 
 Our fainting souls possess — 
 Along our path unfold 
 The Cloud of Witnesses ! 
 Recall each deed 
 
 That Faith hath done — 
 Display the meed 
 
 That Faith hath won ! 
 
 L 
 
298 The Golden Chain 
 
 With gladsome awe that throng, 
 Ye faint, sad souls, behold — 
 That feeble folk made strong — 
 That fearful flock made bold ! 
 Look back and catch 
 
 Their strength divine ! 
 Look up and watch 
 
 How bright they shine ! 
 
 They set their hearts above, 
 
 Their Unseen Guide they hailed 
 They trusted and they strove ; 
 They prayed and they prevailed. 
 What foes they fought ! 
 What toils they bore ! 
 What deeds they wrought ! 
 What spoils they wore ! 
 
 They shame our clinging fear ; 
 They chide our halting feet ; 
 Our fainting hearts they cheer ; 
 Our yearning souls they greet. 
 What help they bear ! 
 
 What news they bring ! 
 What bliss they share ! 
 What beams they fling ! 
 
 Their glorious wounds they show ; 
 Their noble shame they boast ; 
 They gather and they glow 
 Among the Heavenly Host. 
 How bright the prize ! 
 
 How sweet the home ! 
 They bid us rise ! 
 They bid us come I 
 
of Praise. 299 
 
 Come, join that striving throng ! 
 
 Go, swell that shining train ! 
 As those strong souls be strong — 
 With those glad victors reign ! 
 Forbear no toil — - 
 No glory miss ! 
 Divide the spoil — 
 Partake the bliss ! 
 
 1886. 
 
 ccv. 
 
 " Looking off unto Jesus" 
 
 WHAT joy to gaze upon that shining throng ! 
 What help that Cloud of Witnesses to hail ! 
 To borrow of the strength that made them strong- 
 To grasp the faith that gave them to prevail ! 
 
 Yet, pilgrims, fix not here too long your gaze ; 
 Look off! the Leader of the host survey ! 
 Your earnest eyes to Faith's Inspirer raise — 
 Your fainting souls on Faith's Fulfiller stay ! 
 
 Turn from these bearers of deep woe, sore shame, 
 That Sufferer Supreme with awe to greet ! 
 From valiant souls that somewhat overcame 
 Look off, and hail that Conqueror complete ! 
 
 They waxed and waned, they fell and rose anew : 
 Not theirs His still sustained, surpassing height : 
 They loved us well, those tender souls and true, 
 But not like Him, that Lover Infinite, 
 
300 The Golden Chain 
 
 Look off from Love that much endured and dared 
 To that dear Love the Cross which underwent : 
 Their toils, their deeds the power of Faith declared ; 
 In Him behold that Faith omnipotent ! 
 
 Look off from virtue not without a stain, 
 
 On purity whereto no spot doth cling : 
 
 Turn from the tarnished lustre of the train 
 
 To greet the unclouded brightness of the King ! 
 
 On Faith's Fulfiller leans each faithful soul ; 
 The glorious Leader dims the shining host. 
 Lord, even us in that bright host enrol ! 
 Lord, let our lowly beams in Thine be lost ! 
 1886. 
 
 CCVI. 
 
 More than Conquerors through Him that loved us.' 
 
 LORD ! in this awful fight with Sin 
 
 I would not just prevail ; 
 Against each lust so strong within 
 
 I would not almost fail. 
 Full, gladsome, glorious victory 
 
 Should crown the Holy War ; 
 Lord ! I would triumph well — would be 
 
 A more than conqueror. 
 
 I would not just the world o'ercome, 
 
 Prevail, then weary lie, 
 Nor helplessly regain my home 
 
 Half slain by victory. 
 
of Praise. 301 
 
 I would o'ercome and still be strong ; 
 
 Would still have strength to spare, 
 Yes, raise my shout Thy host among, 
 
 A more than conqueror. 
 
 From sorrow's stroke I would not rise 
 
 And mournfully pass on, 
 Not lone my heart, not sad mine eyes, 
 
 As though my God were gone : 
 His pilgrim would be glad and strong 
 
 All through the Vale of Tears ; 
 Yes ! set each sorrow to a song 
 
 Meet for glad angel-ears. 
 
 Shall this divinely urged heart 
 
 Half towards its glory move ? 
 What ! shall I love in part, in part 
 
 Yield to the Lord of Love ? 
 
 sweetest freedom, Lord, to be 
 Thy love's full prisoner ! 
 
 Take me all captive — make of me 
 A more than conqueror ! 
 
 1 would not just to Heaven rise up, 
 Nor scarce to glory come ; 
 
 I would not half a stranger droop 
 
 In the sweet Heavenly Home : 
 I would not eyes half-shut and dim 
 
 Unto the glory bring, 
 Nor feebly help the Seraphim 
 
 The Eternal Song to sing. 
 
 Who would be nearer, Lord, to Thee 
 
 Of all the Heavenly Host ? 
 What Shining One more lowlily 
 
 Would in Thy light be lost ? 
 
302 The Golden Chain 
 
 What angel-wing more swift would bear 
 
 Each message sweet of Thine ? 
 Whose palm would be more green and fair ? 
 
 Whose robe more white would shine ? 
 
 My joy would make more rapturous 
 
 The People of the Skies ; 
 For my poor voice more glorious 
 
 The Eternal Song should rise. 
 My heart would with its humble glow 
 
 Inflame their burning love ; 
 O more than conqueror below ! 
 
 O gladdest saint above ! 
 1851. 
 
 CCVII. 
 
 THE PEOPLE OF GOD. 
 
 "Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations." 
 
 WE come unto our fathers' God : 
 
 Their Rock is our Salvation : 
 The Eternal Arms, their dear abode, 
 
 We make our habitation : 
 We bring Thee, Lord, the praise they brought ; 
 We seek Thee as Thy saints have sought 
 
 In every generation. 
 
 Unto Thy people we belong, 
 
 Elect, redeemed, renewed ; 
 We join the blessed pilgrim throng 
 
 With Thine own strength endued 
 Our hands their tasks divine essay : 
 Our feet pursue the heavenly way 
 
 Their steadfast feet pursued. 
 
of Praise. 303 
 
 The Fire Divine, their steps that led, 
 
 Still goeth bright before us ; 
 The Heavenly Shield, around them spread, 
 
 Is still high holden o'er us : 
 The grace those sinners that subdued, 
 The strength those weaklings that renewed, 
 
 Doth vanquish, doth restore us. 
 
 The cleaving sins that brought them low 
 Are still our souls oppressing ; 
 
 The tears that from their eyes did flow 
 Fall fast, our shame confessing ; 
 
 As with Thee, Lord, prevailed their cry, 
 
 So our strong prayer ascends on high 
 And bringeth down Thy blessing. 
 
 Their precious things on us bestowed 
 The same dear Lord discover ; 
 
 The joy wherewith their souls o'erflowed 
 Makes our glad hearts run over : 
 
 Their fire of love in us doth burn : 
 
 As yearned their hearts, our hearts do yearn 
 After the Heavenly Lover 
 
 Their joy unto their Lord we bring ; 
 
 Their song to us descendeth : 
 The Spirit who in them did sing 
 
 To us His music lendeth. 
 His song in them, in us, is one ; 
 We raise it high, we send it on — 
 
 The song that never endeth ! 
 
304 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ye saints to come, take up the strain- 
 The same sweet theme endeavour ! 
 
 Unbroken be the Golden Chain ! 
 Keep on the song for ever ! 
 
 Safe in the same dear dwelling-place, 
 
 Rich with the same eternal grace, 
 Bless the same boundless Giver ! 
 
 ccvin. 
 " Of the household of God." 
 
 WHAT guerdon hast Thou, Lord, for those 
 
 Who spend their all on Thee ? 
 What grace, what glory should compose 
 
 Thy servants' dignity ? 
 
 They find- their glory in their task, 
 
 Their gladness in their care ; 
 What grace, what guerdon need they ask 
 
 Who of Thy household are ? 
 
 Thy voice their daily task commands ; 
 
 Thy works their hands employ : 
 How sweetly toil their happy hands ! 
 
 What labour and what joy ! 
 
 No weariness o'ercomes their feet ; 
 
 For Thee they go and come : 
 Their painful pilgrimage how sweet ! 
 
 Still, still, they are at home. 
 
 With mingled joy and shame oppressed 
 Their work to Thee they bring ; 
 
 How full their welcome ! what sweet rest 
 Falls on them 'neath Thy wing ! 
 
[8 5 i. 
 
 of Praise. 305 
 
 Lord ! may I call this bliss my own, 
 
 This nearness sweet to Thee ? 
 May I, poor weakling, wanderer lone, 
 
 Of Thine own household be ? 
 
 O ! all my tasks wilt Thou assign ? 
 
 Thou all my journeys guide ? 
 Near me may sound those strains divine, 
 
 That fiery pillar glide ? 
 
 For Thee my hands would toil j for Thee 
 
 My feet would go and come ; 
 Still of Thy household I would be, 
 
 On Earth, in Heaven — at home. 
 
 ccix. 
 IN THE WORLD, NOT OF IT. 
 
 LORD ! Thou hast set Thy people here 
 
 In this vain world and wide ; 
 O make the souls that hold Thee dear 
 
 Fast in that love abide ! 
 
 A watch-tower in the world they win 
 
 But not their portion make ; 
 Thy people needs must dwell herein 
 
 But not hereof partake. 
 
 They weigh its wares, they know its wiles, 
 
 But walk not in its ways, 
 Nor set their heart upon its smiles, 
 
 Nor greatly heed its praise. 
 
 20 
 
306 The Golden Chain 
 
 They do its tasks if smiles thereon 
 Their Taskmaster Divine j 
 
 The sunshine of its grace they shun 
 Wherein He doth not shine. 
 
 Each speeding chance they gladly miss 
 Their Lord they may not tell ; 
 
 Nor linger in a bower of bliss 
 Wherein He may not dwell. 
 
 Not from its gloom their sorrows spring, 
 Not from its wrath their fear ; 
 
 Their peace, their joy it doth not bring ; 
 It cannot mar their cheer : 
 
 They rise to fulness of delight 
 
 When it is most afar ; 
 And mix rejoicing in the fight 
 
 When with its powers at war. 
 
 When in the world their stay is o'er, 
 Then their true life doth come : 
 
 To their own Fatherland they soar ; 
 There, there they are at home ! 
 
 ccx. 
 
 CHRISTS BLESSED ONES. 
 
 THOU King of kings, Thou Lord of lords ! 
 For whom are kept Thy kindest words ? 
 Whom holdest Thou for most Thine own 
 And settest nearest to Thy throne? 
 
 
of Praise. 307 
 
 With Thee do mighty kings find grace ? 
 Do lordly priests win chiefest place ? 
 Thy heart do gifted sages hold, 
 Or statesmen wise, or warriors bold ? 
 
 Ye simple souls whose lives express 
 The sovereign sway of lowliness, 
 The King doth set you near His throne; 
 The heavenly kingdom is your own. 
 
 Ye stricken hearts that meetly mourn 
 And heavenward 'midst your sorrow turn, 
 The Comforter will heal your woe, 
 On you His special smile bestow. 
 
 Ye righteous souls who onward press 
 And pant for fuller righteousness, 
 Your thirst divine shall be supplied, 
 Your holy hunger satisfied. 
 
 Ye merciful, with boldness meet 
 Draw nigh unto the mercy-seat ! 
 The fulness of your need will prove 
 The fulness of God's pitying love. 
 
 What bliss supreme, ye pure in heart, 
 What power doth purity impart ! 
 Your longing eyes it will upraise 
 For ever on your God to gaze. 
 
 Blest souls, your gracious work pursue ! 
 Quench wrath and strife — sweet peace renew ! 
 Sublime the rank on you bestowed ; 
 The peacemakers are sons of God. 
 
308 The Golden Chain 
 
 Ye faithful souls who all things dare 
 For Jesu's sake, who all things bear ; 
 Ye share His cross, will share His throne ; 
 The heavenly kingdom is your own. 
 
 Dear Lord ! are these Thy blessed folk ? 
 May we this grace, this bliss invoke ? 
 In us disciples like possess — 
 In us unfold their blessedness ! 
 1891. 
 
 CCXI. 
 
 "Partakers of His Holi?iess" 
 
 WHAT glory of the All-Glorious God 
 Lifts our adoring thoughts most high ? 
 
 When feel our souls most sweetly bowed 
 Beneath the Heavenly Majesty ? 
 
 Lord ! Thy most glorious name we speak 
 When to the Holy One we cry : 
 
 Most glorious on our eyes doth break 
 The vision of Thy purity. 
 
 Yet will the Holy Ghost descend 
 And dwell in every contrite heart : 
 
 This very name the Lord will lend, 
 This very majesty impart. 
 
 We, we may with the glory shine 
 
 That makes the Awful One most bright ; 
 
 His robe of holiness divine 
 
 May be our very raiment white. 
 
of Praise. 309 
 
 His saints their Lord's own name do bear ; 
 
 His saints their Lord's own glory show : 
 The People with the Monarch share 
 
 But still in dust and ashes bow. 
 
 Yes, as we more our Lord express, 
 
 With lowlier yearnings we adore : 
 
 More glorious grows His holiness 
 
 As our glad souls partake the more. 
 1851. 
 
 CCXII. 
 
 " The glorious liberty of the children of God''' 
 
 THOU biddest, Lord, Thy sons be bold : 
 
 Thy First Born set us free ; 
 The dear adoption fast we hold, 
 
 The glorious liberty. 
 Thou Majesty Divine ! we cling 
 
 To Thine eternal throne ; 
 Almighty Taskmaster ! we bring 
 
 Our work to Thee alone. 
 
 Before our Father we appear, 
 
 No mortal priest between ; 
 Our Great High Priest hath brought us near, 
 
 And cast away each screen. 
 Thy Spirit's fulness we embrace ; 
 
 Away with man's poor dole ! 
 The sweetest visit of Thy grace 
 
 Asks but an open soul. 
 
 Full feels this prayerful company 
 
 The sweet celestial air ; 
 In humble joy we lay on Thee 
 
 The loving clasp of prayer. 
 
310 The Golden Chain 
 
 We mingle now our inmost fires, 
 A glowing, yearning throng : 
 
 All free and strong of wing aspires 
 The gladness of our song. 
 
 Men's statutes do not wake our fear j 
 
 Men frown ; yet smile we still ; 
 For us the Holy Spirit's cheer ! 
 
 For us the Eternal Will ! 
 Thine own we are, Almighty One, 
 
 Thine own would ever be : 
 Endless Thy dear dominion, 
 
 Our glorious liberty 
 1846. 
 
 CCXIII. 
 
 THE EXCHANGE OF GIFTS. 
 
 SPEAKS not the heart of friend to friend 
 
 By gracious gifts expressed ? 
 Yes, sweetly earthlings fond contend 
 
 Whose gift shall be the best. 
 
 Full gladsome of their best they bring, 
 A dear exchange would make j 
 
 Yes, each would give some precious thing, 
 Some precious thing would take. 
 
 O Heavenly Lover ! with Thy grace 
 
 What contest can there be ? 
 O boundless Giver ! is there place 
 
 For gifts 'twixt us and Thee ? 
 
 1 
 
of Praise. 3 1 1 
 
 Thou who hast given each precious thing, 
 
 What gift to Thee can fall ? 
 What can the mortal weaklings bring 
 
 Unto the Lord of all ? 
 
 Thou who hast given Thyself away 
 
 To vanquish death and hell, 
 Wherewith can sinners e'er repay 
 
 The gift unspeakable ? 
 
 Yet with the sinners an exchange 
 
 The Holy One would make ; 
 The Lord of all (O sweetness strange !) 
 
 A gift of us would take. 
 
 Of me Thou earnest, Lord, in quest ; 
 
 With me Thou ne'er wouldst part ; 
 Thyself, Thyself Thou offerest 
 
 For this unworthy heart. 
 
 Unworthy heart ! dost thou delay 
 
 To make this glory thine, 
 To give thy stained self away 
 
 For Him, the Lord Divine ? 
 
 O clasp the outstretched hand of Heaven ! 
 
 Haste thy poor self to give ! 
 Already hath the Saviour given ; 
 
 He waiteth to receive. 
 
 Lord ! ne'er this gift of gifts recall, 
 
 Thy Spirit ne'er reclaim : 
 O ne'er give back this ransomed thrall 
 
 To his own sin and shame. 
 
312 The Golden Chain 
 
 For ever Thine own self bestow, 
 
 This soul for ever keep ! 
 For ever all my want and woe 
 
 In Thine own glory steep ! 
 1856. 
 
 ccxiv. 
 
 ABIDING WITH GOD. 
 
 " Child, thou art ever with Me, and all that I have is 
 
 THRICE blessed soul, who still hath made 
 
 The Father's house his own ; 
 Nor far from that dear home hath strayed, 
 
 Nor parted portion known ; 
 
 Who in no land far off hath sought 
 
 A bower of bliss more fair, 
 But near Thee, Lord, hath humbly wrought 
 
 And found all gladness there ! 
 
 Thy tender voice his work commands ; 
 
 Thy tasks are his delight j 
 For Thee, for Thee those toiling hands ! 
 
 For him that Presence Bright ! 
 
 He still Thy biddings sweet doth find ; 
 
 With Thee his work hath praise ; 
 He knoweth all His Father's mind : 
 
 Thou guidest all his ways. 
 
 In all Thou hast he hath a share, 
 
 Thy glory makes him bright ; 
 Nought of Thy treasure wilt Thou spare, 
 
 Thy treasure infinite ! 
 
of Praise. 
 
 Freely he taketh of Thy store, 
 The peace that passeth thought, 
 
 The joy that stayeth evermore, 
 The love that changeth not. 
 
 Thrice blessed, best beloved he 
 Who wins these words divine : 
 
 " Child, thou dost ever dwell with Me, 
 All that I have is thine." 1 
 
 1853. 
 
 ccxv. 
 
 THE UNBROKEN ASCENT OF FAITH. 
 
 " I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid." 
 
 WE bless Thee, Lord, for each dear link 
 That binds our souls to Thee ; 
 
 How sweet on all Thy grace to think 
 Bestowed so variously — 
 
 Of godly forefathers to know 
 
 And elder saints discern ; 
 With hymns inspired of yore to glow, 
 
 From olden books to learn ! 
 
 We thank Thee that a mother's love 
 
 Unfolded Love Divine ; 
 How tenderly Thy handmaid strove 
 
 To make us early Thine ! 
 
 1 In Luke xv. 31 the elder son is tenderly addressed as "Child 
 
314 The Golden Chain 
 
 We bless Thee that a mother's voice 
 First prompted ours to pray, 
 
 And still in the sweet songs rejoice 
 She bade our lips essay. 
 
 
 Thine early grace our thanks doth raise 
 That bade us Heavenward yearn, 
 
 That made us glad to sing Thy praise 
 And glad Thy ways to learn. 
 
 We bless the tender pains that sought 
 Our young, soft souls to win 
 
 Until Thy Spirit strongly wrought 
 And sweetly reigned within 
 
 Thou callest Thine own servants, Lord, 
 With Thine own Voice Divine : 
 
 Their souls are by Thy Spirit stirred ; 
 Thy Spirit makes them Thine. 
 
 They bless this fulness of Thy grace ; 
 
 They look, they long for more : 
 And yet they tenderly retrace 
 
 That early household lore. 
 
 1886. 
 
 Thrice blessed who that lore have won, 
 Who Thine own fulness know ! 
 
 Dear Master, may each handmaid's son 
 Into Thy servant grow ! 
 
of Praise. 3 1 5 
 
 ccxvi. 
 MY GOD. 
 
 ST. DAVID S. 
 
 " O God, Thou art my God." 
 
 MY God ! my Majesty Divine ! 
 
 My very Presence Bright ! 
 Thou life, Thou light, Thou love of mine ! 
 
 My soul's own Infinite ! 
 
 Art Thou not mine ? for my poor sake 
 
 Dost Thou not wondrously ? 
 Dost Thou not of Thy glory take 
 
 And give it unto me ? 
 
 Feels not mine inmost self Thy watch ? 
 
 Dost Thou not teach Thine own — 
 Yes, quicken my rapt soul to catch 
 
 Thy Spirit's still, deep tone ? 
 
 Are not my sins the witnesses 
 
 That Thou art not at home ? 
 Doth not my penitence express 
 
 That Thou again wilt come ? 
 
 And when I sorely strive with sin, 
 
 Art Thou not strong for me ? 
 Dost Thou not fight my fight, yes, win 
 
 Mine every victory ? 
 
 Waits not my soul for Thee to show 
 
 The work it must fulfil ? 
 Art Thou not hidden in my woe ? 
 
 And there how gracious still ! 
 
3 16 The Golden Chain 
 
 When fulness of delight is mine, 
 Stands not Thy glory by 
 
 And helps each happy hour to shine 
 With wondrous radiancy ? 
 
 Thou God of mine, eternal be 
 This fulness of Thy grace ! 
 Still, still be pleased to shine in me ! 
 Keep, keep Thy dwelling-place ! 
 1845. 
 
 CCXVII. 
 
 GRACE. 
 " By the grace of God I am what I am." 
 
 SWEET, sweet these joys that throng me so- 
 Bright, bright this dwelling-place ; 
 
 But sweeter, Lord, these joys may grow — 
 These visits of Thy Grace ! 
 
 ! sweet each gracious soul that lends 
 My soul its dear embrace ; 
 
 But, Lord, what heights the love ascends 
 That feels itself Thy Grace ! 
 
 This glowing heart must sorrow learn, — 
 Tears these glad smiles replace ; 
 
 But O ! these tears to smiles may turn, 
 And grief may end in Grace. 
 
 My Father ! each delightful hour 
 Unveils Thy smiling Face j 
 
 1 gather every glorious flower 
 And thank my God of Grace. 
 
1849. 
 
 of Praise. 3 1 7 
 
 At home I breathe the quiet air — 
 
 I cast my soul abroad — 
 I do the work — I lift the prayer — 
 Still, still my Gracious God ! 
 
 Each step, each look, each thought of mine 
 
 My gracious God lets in ; 
 All, all my joys are Gifts Divine — 
 
 All, all is Grace I win ! 
 
 No other glory I possess, 
 
 No other joy I own ; 
 On earth, in Heaven I still will bless 
 
 Thy Grace, Thy Grace alone. 
 
 CCXVIII. 
 
 " The peace that passeth all understanding." 
 
 LORD ! shall this weak world sore wound us, 
 When such balm Thy grace doth pour ? 
 
 Lord ! shall want and woe confound us, 
 When Thou givest of Thy store, 
 When Thou offerest 
 Perfect Peace for evermore ? 
 
 In Thy secret place it hideth, 
 Yet each soul may come and take ; 
 
 With Thy glory it abideth, 
 
 Yet bright visits here will make : 
 
 On our sadness 
 Sweet the heavenly peace will break. 
 
318 The Golden Chain 
 
 Yet the foolish world pretendeth 
 God's own glory to bestow j 
 
 On its own, brave gifts it spendeth, 
 Perfect peace they sure must know : 
 Wherefore grieve they ? 
 Wherefore droop its darlings so ? 
 
 Thou alone Thine own grace lendest ; 
 
 Lord ! from Thee this peace of Thine : 
 Secretly Thy peace Thou sendest, 
 
 Softly seekest some meet shrine, 
 Sweetly makest 
 
 Some sad, striving soul divine. 
 
 Of the raging world they hear not 
 Whom Thy sweet peace singeth to ; 
 
 Warfare with the world they fear not 
 Whom Thy strong peace doth renew : 
 
 Mighty meek ones ! 
 Perfect peace exalteth you. 
 
 Highest thought this Peace transcendeth ; 
 
 Sages here have nought to tell ; 
 Yea, the awful glory blendeth 
 
 With the things ineffable : 
 
 Seraphs speak not 
 
 The deep peace they know full well. 
 
 Yet this Peace that thought confoundeth 
 Is of simplest souls possessed ; 
 
 Yet this glorious grace aboundeth 
 With Thy least and lowliest : 
 Meanest mansion 
 Boasteth oft the Heavenly Guest. 
 
IS50. 
 
 of Praise, 319 
 
 O this sweet and sure possession ! 
 
 O this thought-o'erwhelming deep ! 
 Seraphs hail the widening vision ; 
 
 Feeble saints the comfort keep : 
 Lord ! we crave it : 
 
 In Thy Peace our spirits steep ! 
 
 CCXIX. 
 
 THE EVERLASTING ARMS. 
 
 11 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so is the 
 Lord round about His people from henceforth eve )i for 
 ever''' 
 
 [WRITTEN IX SWITZERLAND.] 
 
 YE tower, majestic hills, ye tower 
 
 Eternal, unremoved : 
 Full many a land your guardian power 
 
 In peril sore hath proved : 
 It safe abides, each hill-girt land ; 
 Even so the Lord Himself doth stand 
 
 Around His own beloved. 
 
 O yes ! with bands more strong, more fast 
 Eternal love hath bound them ; 
 
 More closely, tenderly are cast 
 
 The Heavenly Arms around them ; 
 
 Within those arms secure they dwell : 
 
 Nor sin, nor death, nor earth, nor hell 
 Is mighty to confound them. 
 

 320 The Golden Chain 
 
 Behind their hills they joy to think 
 Thou dost more surely cover ; 
 
 Beside their streams of Thee they drink, 
 The Well that runneth over. 
 
 Still to the Heavenly Hills they turn 
 
 Whereon to dwell with Thee they yearn, 
 Their Everlasting Lover. 
 1864. 
 
 ccxx. 
 
 ETERNAL LOVE. 
 
 I have loved thee with everlasting love ; with loving-kind- 
 ness have I drawn thee." 
 
 FATHER ! hast Thou not on me 
 
 Set Thy love eternal ? 
 Mean'st Thou not my place to be 
 
 'Midst the throng supernal ? 
 Dost Thou not my lot ordain ? 
 Wilt Thou not within me reign 
 And Thy right to me maintain 
 
 'Gainst the foe infernal ? 
 
 Saviour ! from Thy throne above 
 
 Camest Thou not for me ? 
 To the eternal arms of love 
 
 Wouldst Thou not restore me ? 
 In the desert, with the Foe, 
 Through all want and through all woe, 
 'Neath the scourge, the scoff, the blow, 
 
 Yearned'st Thou not o'er me ? 
 
of Praise. 321 
 
 Hanging on the accursed tree, 
 
 Ah ! my shame Thou wearest ; 
 In the load that lay on Thee, 
 
 Ah ! my sin Thou bearest ; 
 Hark ! Thou criest my bitter cry, 
 In my very room wilt die, 
 In my darksome bed wilt lie, 
 
 Holiest, Mightiest, Fairest ! 
 
 Hast Thou not, death's Vanquisher, 
 
 Vanquished mine oppressor ? 
 1 )ost Thou not in Heaven still bear 
 
 Love to this transgressor ? 
 Dost Thou not my prayers present, 
 Sweet with fragrance by Thee lent, 
 A\ T ith Thy breath prevailing blent, 
 Heavenly Intercessor? 
 
 Mighty Quickener, Spirit Blest, 
 
 ^Who to life didst wake me ! 
 Wilt Thou not become my guest, 
 
 For Thy dwelling take me, 
 Strong and sweet in me abide, 
 To all truth become my guide, 
 And for spirits glorified 
 
 Meet companion make me ? 
 
 Lord ! along this earthly way 
 
 Thou Thy pilgrim greetest ; 
 To Thy thankful child each day 
 
 Thou Thy love repeatest ; 
 Thou dost bid me weep no more, 
 Thou dost teach this song to soar, 
 Thou dost all the sweetness pour 
 
 When my life is sweetest. 
 
; a- : 
 
 -. 
 
of Praise. 325 
 
 Lord ! wouldst Thou set Thy love on me 
 
 And choose me in Thy Son ? 
 Lord ! hath my heart been given to Thee? 
 
 Hath love in me begun ? 
 
 Ne'er let Thy smile from me depart, 
 
 My heart from Thee remove ! 
 Eternal Lover ! teach my heart 
 
 Thine own eternal love. 
 
 As on the endless ages roll 
 
 Let my glad song still be : 
 " For ever hast Thou loved my soul j 
 
 Lord ! Thou hast chosen me." 
 
 1867. 
 
 CCXXIII. 
 
 HOLY DILIGENCE. 
 
 Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure." 
 
 YE souls, the Father's very own, 
 
 Ye people of His choice, 
 Not only wonder, not alone 
 
 In His dear love rejoice. 
 
 He calleth, but He bids you still 
 
 Make the high calling sure : 
 He chooseth you to work His will 
 
 And thus the crown secure. 
 
 He means for you a glorious part 
 
 In conflict as in grace : 
 He wills you to be pure in heart 
 
 And thus to see His face. 
 
328 The Golden Chain 
 
 What gladness in their smile beams forth 
 In whom their Lord's own light doth shine ! 
 
 What mirth is like their heaven-born mirth ! 
 What songs are like their songs divine ! 
 
 Thus while they evermore rejoice, 
 They bear sweet witness to Thy grace 
 
 The witness of a cheerful voice, 
 The witness of a smiling face. 
 
 To the dear Master they allure 
 
 Who gladdens and uplifts them so : 
 
 Of the bright kingdom they assure 
 
 Whence such full streams of gladness flow. 
 
 Still joyful, Lord, Thy people make, 
 Their mirth thus blessedly employ, 
 
 Till Thou shalt call them to partake 
 The eternal fulness of Thy joy ! 
 
 1867. 
 
 ccxxv. 
 
 "Rejoice evermore* 
 
 LORD ! comes this bidding strange to us ? 
 
 How may this wonder be ? 
 What ! ever glad and rapturous, 
 
 These weary pilgrims, we ! 
 
 May we with joy be ever filled 
 
 Whom sorrows never fail ? 
 Yes, here a Bower of Bliss up-build, 
 
 Here in the weeping Vale ? 
 
of Praise. 329 
 
 Lord ! in each stricken, bleeding heart 
 
 May endless joy arise, 
 And none but tears of gladness start 
 
 From these oft-drowned eyes ? 
 
 Our eyes may rain ; yet shineth clear 
 
 The brightness of Thy Face : 
 Our hearts may faint ; yet still is near 
 
 Our mighty God of Grace. 
 
 O then the eyes may overflow 
 
 Nor yet the soul be sad ; 
 The heart may heavy be with woe 
 
 And yet in Thee be glad. 
 
 Yes, close beside the Fount of Tears 
 
 The Fount of Joy doth spring j 
 Our very pains, our very fears 
 
 The Helper near do bring. 
 
 O mighty joy of sorrow born ! 
 
 Griefs holy, happy store ! 
 O blessed tears to smiles that turn ! 
 
 O gladness evermore ! 
 
 But, Lord ! not always must we mourn 
 
 Ere joy divine be given ; 
 Not hardly won, not sorrow-born 
 
 The dear delights of Heaven. 
 
 There bliss doth all the region fill, 
 
 There joy from joy doth rise ; 
 The Vision Beatific still ! 
 
 The happy harmonies ! 
 
332 The Golden Chain 
 
 We turn to Thee a smiling face : 
 Thou sendest us the smile again : 
 
 Our joy, the fulness of Thy grace : 
 
 Thine own, the cheer of this glad strain. 
 
 Thou God of joy ! our souls do well 
 The life hereafter to forestall ; 
 
 We go with Happy Ones to dwell, 
 To help the Joy Celestial ! 
 
 : 846-68. 
 
 CCXXVIII. 
 
 il I will play before the Lord." 
 
 I WILL be glad before Thee, 
 
 Thou Lord of my delight ! 
 My God ! I will adore Thee 
 
 With all my heart and might ; 
 Each member Thou didst fashion, 
 
 Each organ Thou didst frame, 
 Mine every power and passion 
 
 Shall glorify Thy name. 
 
 My rapture runneth over, 
 
 My flesh is glad in Thee ; 
 Look down, Thou Heavenly Lover ! 
 
 Thy mirthful seeker see ! 
 Aglow with holy pleasure, 
 
 I leap, I shout, I sing ; 
 I triumph without measure ; 
 
 I play before the King. 
 
1 868. 
 
 of Praise. 333 
 
 Amidst Thine earth's full beauty 
 
 I send my raptures forth ; 
 I teach the birds their duty ; 
 
 My mirth exceeds their mirth. 
 Amidst Thy new creation 
 
 I glow, I sing, I soar ; 
 The joy of Thy salvation 
 
 Uplifts me more and more. 
 
 My joy I will not cover, 
 
 I will not hide my love ; 
 Mine own Eternal Lover ! 
 
 Thou, Thou wilt not reprove. 
 The foolish world may ponder 
 
 My mirth in dull amaze j 
 May speak its scornful wonder, 
 
 May fix its scornful gaze. 
 
 Not to its scoff I hearken j 
 
 Its frown I do not fear ; 
 My light it cannot darken ; 
 
 It shall not stint my cheer. 
 My thanks I will not mutter, 
 
 Nor keep my gladness low ; 
 But loud Thy love will utter, 
 
 But full my joy will show. 
 
 Yes ! happy angels yonder 
 
 These transports will approve, 
 Will share this thankful wonder, 
 
 Will help this yearning love. 
 With me the Throng Supernal 
 
 Before the Lord will play : 
 And He the mirth eternal 
 
 With smiling eye survey. 
 
336 The Golden Chain 
 
 Our eager youth for glory burned, 
 
 Yet dear we held Thy grace ; 
 Towards Thy bright creatures, Lord, we yearned, 
 
 Yet still we sought Thy face. 
 
 Full many a day would sorrow bring, 
 Yet still Thy praise was brought ; 
 
 And sin oft clogged the spirit's wing, 
 Yet still Thy Heaven we sought. 
 
 We came in tears, we knelt in shame, 
 
 We feared the Awful Eye — 
 We blushed to name the Holy Name — 
 
 Yet upward went the cry. 
 
 The glory of each golden hour 
 
 Ne'er quenched the light of prayer ; 
 
 We lingered in our Blissful Bower, 
 But made Thee welcome there. 
 
 O ! gladsome days for us have been, 
 
 And days of gloom and care, 
 And days of peace and days of sin ; 
 
 But all were days of prayer. 
 
 Lord ! shall not all our days in store 
 
 Thus sweetly linked be ? 
 Shall not each morning Heavenward soar, 
 
 Each evening sing to Thee ? 
 
 O yes ! the bond of Thy dear praise 
 
 Shall ne'er for us be riven j 
 'Twill stretch through all these mortal days, 
 
 All those bright years of Heaven. 
 
of Praise. 337 
 
 O song sublime of Seraphim 
 
 Linked unto lisped lays ! 
 O sweet, undying, deepening hymn ! 
 
 O Golden Chain of Praise ! 
 
 1855. 
 
 CCXXXI. 
 
 THE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH. 
 " All live in Hi?n." 
 
 LORD ! if our dwelling-place Thou art, 
 With all Thine own we dwell ; 
 
 O never may those lovers part 
 Who love the Lord full well. 
 
 Death has no bidding to divide 
 The souls that dwell in Thee : 
 
 Yes, all who in the Lord abide 
 Are of one family. 
 
 They mingle still their songs, their prayers ; 
 
 Thy people, Lord, are one, 
 Thy people in the Vale of Tears, 
 
 Thy people near the Throne. 
 
 The souls most precious to us here 
 May from this home have fled ; 
 
 But still we make one household dear ; 
 One Lord is still our head. 
 
 Midst cherubim and seraphim 
 They mind their Lord's affairs ; 
 
 O ! if we bring our work to Him, 
 Our work is one with theirs. 
 
 22 
 
34° The Golden Chain 
 
 CCXXXIII. 
 
 " Our Citizenship is in Heaven." 
 
 WE triumph in the glorious grace 
 
 That set us in this English land, 
 And welcome the high earthly place 
 
 Wherein our God hath made us stand. 1 
 
 While service to our land we bring, 
 The Lord's own glory we would show ; 
 
 And wait upon our Heavenly King 
 In this our Commonwealth below. 
 
 But O ! to us a grace more great, 
 
 A dignity more dear is given : 
 He links us to a nobler State ; 
 
 He makes us citizens of Heaven. 
 
 Yes, mightily our hearts are bound 
 This goodly Father-Land to love ; 
 
 But more our own Emmanuel's ground, 
 That better, dearer land above. 
 
 Our land's good laws we proudly praise, 
 Our land's great tale with triumph tell ; 
 
 But O ! what majesty arrays 
 The People of Emmanuel ! 
 
 1 I mean the English land on both sides of the Atlantic, New 
 England as well as Old England. This strain includes the 
 citizens of the great Republic as well as the subjects of the 
 mighty Monarchy. 
 
of Praise. 341 
 
 Their glorious freedom how complete ! 
 
 How absolute His holy will ! 
 What tasks divine, what tribute sweet 
 
 Their spirits bring, their hands fulfil ! 
 
 Dear fellow-citizens they greet 
 
 Of every age, of every clime ; 
 Far dwellers in one City meet ; 
 
 Strange voices raise one song sublime. 
 
 Do our fond, faithful hearts partake 
 
 The Father-Land's sore wounds and woe ? 
 
 Ah ! mourn we for the storms that break 
 Upon our Commonwealth below ? 
 
 Those storms, our peace they may not whelm ; 
 
 They cannot reach our true abode, 
 O sweetness of that Upper Realm ! 
 
 O peaceful City of our God ! 
 
 Ah ! seemeth it so sad to leave 
 
 Our Commonwealth and Country dear ? 
 
 Poor sojourners — we wrongly grieve ; 
 Our Father-Land — it lies not here. 
 
 O City where God's People dwell ! 
 
 O Home where no sweet bonds are riven ! 
 O Country of Emmanuel ! 
 
 The only Father-Land is Heaven. 
 
 Joy ! Joy ! our King doth never die ; 
 
 Our City doth for ever stand ; 
 We serve the Eternal Majesty 
 
 And hold the Heavenly Father-Land. 
 [855. 
 
!44 The Golden Chain 
 
 ccxxxv. 
 THE MOURNER'S HEAVEN. 
 
 st. mary's. 
 " Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast 
 afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil." 
 
 HOW bright they bloom, those Heavenly Bowers, 
 
 For all Thy people, Lord ! 
 What sweetness from the unfading flowers 
 
 O'er all their path is poured ! 
 
 That Heavenly Home — what joy is there 
 
 For hearts with love that beat ! 
 That Better Land, that Holy Air, 
 
 For seeking souls how sweet ! 
 
 But brightest, Lord, on weeping eyes 
 
 The Happy Fields do break ; 
 Those golden gates, those smiling skies 
 
 Thy mourners gladdest make. 
 
 Rejoicing to the Realm of Rest 
 
 Thy weary pilgrims come ; 
 What hearts, like hearts forlorn, are blest 
 
 In the sweet Heavenly Home ! 
 
 Who wave those palms so passing green ? 
 
 Who wear those robes so white ? 
 Whose forms doth the celestial sheen 
 
 Make most divinely bright ? 
 
1852. 
 
 of Praise. 345 
 
 Thy martyrs, Lord, who welcome made 
 
 All sorrow and all shame, 
 On whom Thine own dear cross was laid, 
 
 Who hailed Thee through the flame. 
 
 O Vision Beatific ! shine 
 
 Full on the sages sad ; 
 The spirits mournfully divine, 
 
 Lord, make divinely glad ! 
 
 These tears, these pains — what bliss they wake 
 
 The Happy Fields among ! 
 How sweet, how rapturous they make 
 
 The everlasting song ! 
 
 The memory of these mournful years 
 
 The heavenly joy fulfils ; 
 More sad and lone the Vale of Tears, 
 
 More bright the Eternal Hills. 
 
 CCXXXVI. 
 
 LOVE YEARNING FOR REUNION 
 
 LORD, may it be ? will Love regain 
 
 Its vanished ones at last, 
 Nor idly in its heaven retain 
 
 That sweetness of the Past ? 
 
 Will that unbounded realm of Light 
 
 Yield a familiar glow ? 
 Shall I among those Angels bright 
 
 Mine own Beloved know ? 
 
348 The Golden Chain 
 
 And sometimes on our yearning gaze 
 The splendour stealeth through ; 
 
 We seem to catch those heavenly rays, 
 Those shining shapes to view. 
 
 Nay, wait : the veil is kindly set ; 
 
 The fulness of that light 
 For our weak, sinful souls as yet 
 
 Doth beam too strong and bright. 
 
 O then the lifting of that veil, 
 Lord, hallow us to bear, 
 
 The unfolded radiancy to hail, 
 The unbounded bliss to share ! 
 
 With love yet heightened to embrace 
 Those glad forerunners sweet, 
 
 And with them gazing face to face 
 The great Forerunner greet ! 
 1889. 
 
 CCXXXVIII. 
 
 SHINING ONES. 
 
 NOT always here below shine forth 
 The souls to Heaven most near ; 
 
 Not always best beloved on earth 
 The men to God most dear. 
 
 Not with the eye may we discern 
 His servants and His sons ; 
 
 Not much from face and form we learn 
 Of His own Shining Ones. 
 
1894. 
 
 of Praise. 349 
 
 The deeds wherewith their warfare teems 
 
 Reveal His men of might ; 
 Their gifts and graces are the beams 
 
 Sent forth from souls of light. 
 
 Our souls discern those spirits bright, 
 
 Enjoy those beams divine : 
 The guiding splendour of that light 
 
 Along our path doth shine. 
 
 But there beyond Death's dark, deep stream 
 
 Unveiled those spirits dwell : 
 The inner light without doth beam 
 
 In splendour visible. 
 
 Their faith, their love, their holiness 
 
 Those Shining Ones forth show ; 
 Their Lord's own beauty they express, 
 
 With His own brightness glow. 
 
 How oft their radiance bears aloft 
 
 His fainting pilgrims here ! 
 Unto His Hidden Ones how oft 
 
 His Shining Ones appear ! 
 
 Lord, sometimes with that vision bright 
 
 Our faint endeavours bless 
 To rise into the love and light 
 
 Thy Shining Ones express ! 
 
 The fulness of that light bestow, 
 
 The fulness of that love ; 
 And make Thy Hidden Ones below 
 
 Thy Shining Ones above ! 
 
35° The Golden Chain 
 
 ccxxxix. 
 
 THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE 
 PERFECT. 
 
 WE bless the godly men of might 
 Who here Heaven's work pursued, 
 
 The righteous souls who strove for Right, 
 And evil still eschewed ; 
 
 Who won the fight without, within, 
 
 Who vanquished soul-defiling Sin, 
 World-wasting Wrong subdued ! 
 
 They braved each evil, earthborn power, 
 
 Defied each foe infernal, 
 In life's most glad, most gloomy hour 
 
 Held fast the Law Eternal ; 
 In their upturned eyes still beamed, 
 From their aspiring souls still streamed 
 
 The Holy Light Supernal. 
 
 With wonder and with love aglow 
 
 We read their kindling story ; 
 Their deeds, their words, their names bestow 
 
 No rapture transitory ; 
 Deep in our inmost souls they dwell ; 
 Their breath we breathe, their tale we tell ; 
 
 We hail, we spread their glory. 
 
 From Earth they helped and glorified 
 To Heaven have they ascended : 
 
 There stronger, brighter, they abide, 
 By frailty unattended : 
 
 Their purity unspotted glows, 
 
 Their strength expands, their goodness grows ; 
 Their lustre is more splendid. 
 
1894. 
 
 of Praise. 3 5 I 
 
 Their righteousness, perfected there, 
 
 Is joyfully expressed j 
 In all the light and bliss they share 
 
 By happy Heaven possessed ; 
 They swell the rapture they partake ; 
 The Fair Abode more fair they make, 
 
 The Blissful Home more blessed. 
 
 Lord, help us here their path to tread 
 
 Of holy, high endeavour, 
 Like them to fullest life upled, 
 
 To goodness waning never ! 
 Grant us, the joys of Heaven among, 
 To greet that bright, perfected throng, 
 
 And shine with them for ever ! 
 
 CCXL. 
 
 HEAVEN OUR HOLY LAND. 
 
 " There to fulfil Thj' sweet commands 
 Our speedy feet shall move, 
 Nor Sin shall clog our winged zeal 
 Nor cool our burning love." 
 
 WATTS. 
 
 THE Happy Fields, the Heavenly Host, 
 
 The Realm of Rest above, 
 Do make us gladsome, Lord ; but most 
 
 The Holy Land we love. 
 
 O ! bright those golden gates must shine 
 
 That let no evil in ! 
 That boundless region how divine 
 
 That hath no room for sin ! 
 
35 2 The Golden Chain 
 
 Sweet Holy Land ! sweet with the throng 
 
 Of souls divinely pure — 
 Where Holy, Happy Ones among 
 
 Thy pilgrims smile secure : 
 
 No more to weep o'er lustre lent, 
 O'er grace outpoured in vain ; 
 
 No more in anguish to repent 
 And then offend again ! 
 
 But gloriously to spend that grace 
 
 They boundlessly receive, 
 Nor once Thine image to deface, 
 
 Nor once Thy Spirit grieve ! 
 
 Oh ! here Thy servants soon give o'er, 
 
 But half Thy work fulfil : 
 How faint their zeal ! their strife how sore 
 
 To climb the Heavenly Hill ! 
 
 But there upon Thine errands sweet 
 With what glad speed they run ! 
 
 What smiling service ! how complete 
 The work divinely done ! 
 
 No Tempter there our souls shall stop 
 
 Upon the sacred road, 
 Nor win our weak desires to drop 
 
 From glory and from God. 
 
 But angels kind their raptures blend, 
 
 As our rapt souls aspire ; 
 Our winged zeal their wings they lend, 
 
 Our burning love their fire. 
 
[84cS. 
 
 of Prais . 353 
 
 Still, Lord, with Sorrow and with Sin 
 
 Wars here Thy Pilgrim Band ; 
 Yet blest the warfare that shall win 
 
 Thy Heaven, our Holy Land. 
 
 CCXLI. 
 
 THE DEBT OF I IE A VEX TO EARTH. 
 
 LORD ! leadeth not this desert land 
 To our bright home with Thee ? 
 
 Dost Thou not mean Thy pilgrim band 
 The Golden Gates to see ? 
 
 Yet may we carry to our home 
 
 Gifts in the desert given ; 
 Thou wouldst not have Thy pilgrims come 
 
 All empty to Thy heaven. 
 
 Bright Angels ! on your store alone 
 
 We shall not need to live : 
 We bring you something of our own, 
 
 Our God's dear gifts we give. 
 
 We bring the strength by Him conferred 
 
 Unto the Heavenly Host ; 
 W T e bring the shame for Him incurred 
 
 To be our endless boast. 
 
 We bring the wounds on earth that bled 
 To have sweet healing given ; 
 
 We bring the tears on earth we shed 
 To find them smiles in Heaven. 
 
 23 
 
354 The Golden Chain 
 
 Your burning love the flame we lend 
 That here so humbly burned ; 
 
 And with your awful lore we blend 
 The lore on earth we learned. 
 
 We bring you each endeavour fair 
 That made earth's darkness shine ; 
 
 Each triumph o'er the foe ye share, 
 Each victory divine. 
 
 Each precious, pure delight that made 
 The Vale of Tears less sad, 
 
 Doth help the joys that never fade, 
 Doth make the angels glad. 
 
 O happy Golden Hours below ! 
 
 Your glory hath not gone : 
 The grateful years eternal flow 
 
 More bright because ye shone. 
 
 On earth we sing our heavenly songs, 
 With holy fire we burn ; 
 
 O Golden Harps ! O angel tongues ! 
 Our strains ye too may learn. 
 
 Dear Lord ! whose grace on earth we taste 
 Whose glory down doth come, 
 
 Thou meanest not these gifts for waste ; 
 May we not bear them home ? 
 
 May we not, richly-laden, make 
 The wealth of Heaven the more, 
 
 And bringing gifts divine, partake 
 The sweet celestial store ? 
 1849-60. 
 
 
of Praise. 355 
 
 CCXLII. 
 
 THE WITNESS OF EARTH TO HEAVEN. 
 
 WHAT sweetness on Thine Earth doth dwell ! 
 
 How precious, Lord, these gifts of Thine ! 
 Yet sweeter messages they tell, 
 
 These earnests of delights divine. 
 
 Yes ! glory out of glory breaks, 
 More than the gift itself is given : 
 
 Each gift a glorious promise makes ; 
 Thine Earth doth prophesy of Heaven. 
 
 These mighty hills we joy to climb, 
 These happy streams we wander by, 
 
 Reveal the Eternal Hills sublime, — 
 Of God's own river prophesy. 
 
 These odours blest, these gracious flowers, 
 These sweet sounds that around us rise, 
 
 Give tidings of the Heavenly Bowers, 
 Prelude the Angelic Harmonies. 
 
 These vernal hours — what news they bring ! 
 
 What tidings these bright summers tell ! 
 They fore-announce the Eternal Spring, 
 
 Foreshow the Light Ineffable. 
 
 And in these gracious ones so dear, 
 
 These just souls that our souls make strong, 
 
 We feel the holy angels near, 
 
 We mingle with the Blissful Throng. 
 
356 The Golden Chain 
 
 O mercies kindly incomplete ! 
 
 Dear joys our hearts that may not fill ! 
 Strange grace ! that in Thy gifts most sweet 
 
 We read of gifts diviner still. 
 
 Lord ! from Thy gifts to Thee we rise ; 
 
 But with more strength we soar above 
 Upon these glorious prophecies, 
 
 These earnests of Thy dearer love. 
 1850. 
 
 CCXLIIl. 
 
 NEW JERUSALEM. 
 "Behold, I make all things new" 
 
 EMBRACE your full salvation ! 
 
 Ye saints, no longer sigh ! 
 Let the old tribulation 
 
 In the new glory die ! 
 O'er each old sin victorious 
 
 Your Holy City view, 
 Jerusalem the glorious, 
 
 Jerusalem the New ! 
 
 Right from God's throne descendeth 
 
 That city fair and bright ; 
 No earthly splendour blendeth 
 
 Its dimness with that light : 
 New gleams the pavement golden,. 
 
 New flasheth each rich gem ; 
 There glimmers nothing olden 
 
 In New Jerusalem. 
 
of Praise. 357 
 
 No temple witness beareth 
 
 Where God Himself doth shine ; 
 No priestly pomp impaireth 
 
 The Majesty Divine. 
 The Lord His people guideth ; 
 
 Their Monarch beams on them j 
 The King of kings abideth 
 
 In New Jerusalem. 
 
 Those happy Courts Eternal 
 
 Each ancient foe forbid ; 
 Amidst the Flowers Supernal 
 
 The old serpent lies not hid : 
 No bird of night may venture 
 
 Those pearly portals through ; 
 No evil beast may enter 
 
 Jerusalem the New. 
 
 O City sevenfold glorious, 
 
 AVhere Sin doth never come, 
 Where Wrong is ne'er victorious ! 
 
 Glad saints, enjoy your home : 
 Your foes are crushed beneath you, 
 
 Your hearts no more condemn ; 
 Ye bring no darkness with you 
 
 To New Jerusalem : 
 
 No more beneath the oppressor 
 
 Ye fear and faint and groan ; 
 Your tender Intercessor 
 
 Smiles on the eternal throne. 
 No spoiler may devour you ; 
 
 No unjust judge condemn ; 
 The righteous King rules o'er you 
 
 In New Jerusalem. 
 
358 The Golden Chain 
 
 There is no grief, no crying ; 
 
 Each burden down ye lay : 
 There is no pain, no dying ; 
 
 Old things have passed away : 
 Within the blissful City 
 
 No eye with tears is dim ; 
 There is no place for pity 
 
 In New Jerusalem. 
 
 Hark ! what a glad song streameth 
 
 The blissful City through ! 
 How that new song beseemeth 
 
 Jerusalem the New ! 
 Still of new joy it telleth, 
 
 That everlasting hymn ; 
 Still new the song that swelleth 
 
 Through New Jerusalem. 
 
 Lord ! with what fresh fruition 
 
 Thy people on Thee gaze ! 
 More glorious grows the vision ; 
 
 More rapturous swells the praise. 
 New love, new bliss Thou wakest 
 
 As beams Thy smile on them ; 
 Yes, all things new Thou makest 
 
 In New Jerusalem. 
 [870. 
 
 
of Praise. 359 
 
 CCXLIV. 
 
 CHRIST OUR HEAVEN. 
 
 " It doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know 
 that when He doth appear we shall be like Him ; for 
 we shall see Him as He is." 
 
 OH ! beams there, Lord, upon Thine own 
 Of that bright Heaven no vision clear ? 
 
 Oh ! stays the glory all unknown 
 
 Thou keepest for Thy children dear ? 
 
 Ah ! mourn we that no tidings come, 
 That no foretelling gleam is given — 
 
 And faintly hail that distant home 
 And vainly woo that veiled Heaven ? 
 
 Lord ! Thou hast shown that Son of Thine ; 
 
 No more we seek, no more we sigh : 
 On earth hath beamed His Face Divine, 
 
 'Twill make our blessedness on high. 
 
 Ye heavenly joys, remain unknown ! 
 
 Ye splendours, cease not to be dim ! 
 Our Brother shines amidst the throne : 
 
 Our Brother sways the Seraphim. 
 
 We ask not what the joy will be, 
 
 Secure to find our Saviour there ; 
 O Heaven of Heavens His face to see ! 
 
 O bliss past thought His smile to share ! 
 
360 The Golden Chain 
 
 We tread His Heaven, our earth who trod ; 
 
 We wear His robes, our flesh who wore : 
 O Son of Man ! O Son of God, 
 
 Thou art our own : we ask no more. 
 1853. 
 
 CCXLV. 
 
 OUR EVERLASTING PORTION. 
 
 Whom have I in Heaven but Thee, and whom on earth 
 do I desire in comparison ivith Thee V 
 
 I HAIL you not, Mansions Divine, 
 
 Because ye are peaceful and fair ; 
 Your Builder, your Master is mine ; 
 
 My Father, my Saviour is there. 
 I cleave not to you, angels bright, 
 
 But to Him who filleth the throne ; 
 In Thee, Lord, in Thee I delight, 
 
 Thou, Thou art mine All, art mine own ! 
 
 Yes, Lover Divine, Thou art loved, 
 
 Yes, Lord of my heart, Thou art dear j 
 Even now this cold bosom is moved ; 
 
 Thy presence is sweet even here ; 
 Still, still through the long mortal years 
 
 Thou makest with me Thine abode, 
 And still this dark Valley of Tears 
 
 Is bright with the smile of my God. 
 
 My friends true and tender have been, 
 
 But only in Thee am I blest : 
 5 Tis sweet on their bosoms to lean, 
 
 'Tis sweetest to lean on Thy breast. 
 
of Praise. 36 1 
 
 From creatures most gracious and bright 
 To Thee, Brightest Presence, I turn ; 
 
 In fulness of earthly delight 
 
 For Thee, Heavenly Lover, I yearn. 
 
 My God ! art Thou dear even now ? 
 
 My Sun ! dost Thou shine even here ? 
 Then how will my joy in Thee grow 
 
 When Thou dost in glory appear ; 
 ^Vhen close to Thy brightness I come, 
 
 And set my rapt gaze on Thy face, 
 And sweetly enjoy Thee at home 
 
 And glow in Thine endless embrace ! 
 
 For ever that Presence of Thine 
 
 Makes blissful the Heavenly Abode ; 
 
 Thy saints and Thy seraphim shine, 
 But only with light from my God. 
 
 Thy beauty in them will be sweet ; 
 Thy glory will link them to me : 
 
 And still my glad soul will repeat 
 
 " "Whom have I in Heaven but Thee ? " 
 1 866. 
 
 CCXLVI. 
 
 "In My Father's house are many mansions!''' 
 
 O ! WHEN did lips such grace declare ? 
 
 The Father's house hath room ; 
 Yes, many are the mansions fair ; 
 
 Thy people all may come. 
 
 The heavenly glory may not part 
 
 Thy lovers, Lord, from Thee : 
 O Saviour sweet, where'er Thou art 
 
 There all Thine own shall be. 
 
362 The Golden Chain 
 
 Full welcome to the heavenly land 
 Thy lowly lovers win \ 
 
 The golden gates all open stand 
 To let Thy mourners in. 
 
 Thou bringest home Thy shining ones 
 In Thine own light to shine : 
 
 Thou settest high on glorious thrones 
 Those hidden ones of Thine. 
 
 Room for Thy weaklings Thou dost make 
 
 Among Thy men of might ; 
 Those fadeless palms Thy martyrs take 
 
 And wear that raiment white. 
 
 For each Thou hast a portion meet ; 
 
 On all doth wait Thy love ; 
 Thy brethren dear make yet more sweet 
 
 The Father's house above. 
 
 Dear Lord ! hast Thou my white robe wrought ? 
 
 Wilt Thou my place prepare ? 
 Hast Thou for me a tender thought, 
 
 For me a mansion fair ? 
 
 Yes, in the Father's house divine 
 Find room, dear Lord, for me, 
 
 And grant this longing soul of mine 
 An endless home with Thee. 
 :853- 
 
of Praise. 363 
 
 CCXLVII. 
 
 THE CELESTIAL CITY. 
 
 " The city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to 
 shine in it : for the glory of God did lighten it." 
 
 BRIGHT sun ! thou dost blessedly shine ; 
 
 Fair earth doth rejoice in thy light j 
 She draweth her beauty from thine : 
 
 Thou makest her gladsome and bright. 
 We bless thy strong splendour at noon, 
 
 We bless thy sweet radiance at even, 
 And welcome the soft-shining moon 
 
 When earth to her bright sway is given. 
 
 But fairer, but fuller the light 
 
 Through the Heavenly City that streams ; 
 Jerusalem shineth all bright, 
 
 But not with the sun's golden beams ; 
 Your smile, sun and moon, she can spare ; 
 
 Ye bear in her glory no part : 
 Thou only, dear Lord, beamest there, 
 
 Her glory, her sunshine Thou art. 
 
 Her smile from Thy beams she doth take ; 
 
 Her light in Thy light she doth see ; 
 Her music and mirth Thou dost make ; 
 
 Her beauty she borrows from Thee. 
 All bathed in the Glory Divine 
 
 Still, still she abides in Thy light ; 
 Her Sun never ceaseth to shine, 
 
 Her day never yieldeth to night. 
 
364 The Golden Chain 
 
 Here bright are the beams of Thy sun : 
 
 Here sweet are the rays of Thy grace : 
 But there both the glories are one. 
 
 Are one in the light of Thy face. 
 The Sun in their souls that did glow 
 
 Now bright on Thy saints doth arise ; 
 The joy of their hearts here below 
 
 Becomes the delight of their eyes. 
 
 They look on the Lord of their love, 
 
 The Lamb that was slain they behold ; 
 He maketh the glory above ; 
 
 He lighteth the city of gold. 
 They gaze on their Sun and grow bright ; 
 
 His beauty, His splendour they wear ; 
 They see the ineffable sight : 
 
 The unspeakable glory they share. 
 
 Lord ! here in my heart dost Thou shine ? 
 
 Art Thou my soul's sunlight below ? 
 O then in that City Divine 
 
 Full, full on mine eyes Thou wilt glow. 
 For me as for all the glad throng 
 
 Thou makest Jerusalem bright ; 
 And still the glad stream of our song 
 
 Flows on midst the bliss of Thy light. 
 1867. 
 
of Praise. 365 
 
 CCXLVIII. 
 
 THE BETTER LAM). 
 4 " They shall behold tlie land that is very far off." 
 
 THE vale of tears your footsteps press, 
 
 Ye pilgrims worn and weak ; 
 Ye journey through the wilderness 
 
 The heavenly land who seek. 
 
 What mountains tower ! what foes assail ! 
 
 How long, how drear the road ! 
 What clouds forbid your eyes to hail 
 
 The City of your God ! 
 
 Ye look, ye listen eagerly 
 
 Of the far land to learn, 
 And dimly from some mountain high 
 
 The glory ye discern. 
 
 Yet will ye find the vision true 
 
 And reach the far-off land ; 
 The Heavenly City will for you 
 
 Its pearly gates expand. 
 
 The Golden City ye shall tread 
 
 That faintly ye discerned, 
 And up the Eternal Hills be led 
 
 Whose distance dim ye mourned. 
 
 Amidst the glory ye shall walk 
 
 With glad, familiar feet ; 
 With saints and angels shall ye talk 
 
 And each forerunner street. 
 
366 The Golden Chain 
 
 The Great Forerunner's smile divine 
 
 Your gladness will fulfil ; 
 Before your eyes He full will shine 
 
 And lead His people still. 
 
 Lord ! shall I tread that far-off land 
 And reach that bright abode ? 
 
 Unite me to Thy pilgrim-band ! 
 Uphold me on the road ! 
 
 Help me each terror to defy, 
 Each hindrance to o'ercome ; 
 
 Through thickest clouds on mountains high 
 Fix, fix my gaze on home ! 
 
 Then shall I with familiar feet 
 
 The land far off explore, 
 And there the Great Forerunner greet, 
 
 The Heavenly King adore. 
 186—. 
 
 CCXLIX. 
 
 THE VISION BEATIFIC. 
 
 Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty" 
 
 NOT yet, ye people of His grace, 
 Ye see your Saviour face to face ; 
 Not yet enamoured eyes ye bring 
 Unto the glory of your King. 
 
 Ye follow in His steps below, 
 Along His thorny way ye go, 
 Ye stand His bitter cross beside, 
 Ye cling to Him, the Crucified. 
 
of Praise. 367 
 
 Upon His grace ye banquet here : 
 Ye know Him true, ye feel Him near ; 
 The balm of His dear blood ye bless : 
 Ye wear His robe of righteousness. 
 
 His might and mercy well ye know ; 
 His power and glory forth ye show ; 
 On His dear love ye wondering dwell ; 
 Of His dear love ye gladsome tell. 
 
 But greater shall the wonder grow, 
 But mightier shall the joy o'erflow ; 
 Upon your Lord ye yet shall gaze 
 And look your love and sweet amaze. 
 
 The King on your enamoured eyes 
 In all His beauty will arise, 
 And make the people of His grace 
 Glad with the glory of His face. 
 
 Still will He grant you the delight 
 Of that eternal vision bright, 
 And still your mounting bliss advance 
 With beamings from His countenance. 
 
 As glory from His face doth stream, 
 Beneath the splendour ye shall gleam, 
 And gazing on for evermore 
 Glow with the beauty ye adore. 
 
 Lord ! with Thy people shall I raise 
 To Thee mine own enamoured gaze ? 
 Lord ! shall Thy loveliness divine 
 Break sweetly on these eyes of mine ? 
 
368 The Golden Chain 
 
 O make me meet for joy like this ! 
 ! grant me grace to bear the bliss, 
 To set my heart on Thee below 
 Nor other lord or love to know. 
 
 Then shall I set mine eyes on Thee, 
 The King in all His beauty see, 
 And gazing on for evermore 
 Glow with the beauty I adore. 
 1865. 
 
 CCL. 
 
 MIRRORED GLORY. 
 " Reflecting as in a glass the glory of the Lord. 
 
 SWEET Saviour, did Thy soul divine 
 
 A body fair possess ? 
 Did an illustrious shape enshrine 
 
 Thine inward loveliness ? 
 
 We know not, Holiest One, nor care j 
 Our light, our joy Thou art : 
 
 With heavenly love and beauty fair 
 Thou fillest each true heart. 
 
 Thou askest but an open soul 
 Wherein to dwell and shine : 
 
 Thy people inly beautiful 
 Reflect their King Divine. 
 
 The form uncomely that we deem 
 May veil Thy Presence Bright ; 
 
 The homely face may catch a gleam 
 Of Thine in-shining light : 
 
 
of Praise. 369 
 
 No outward lustre need they boast 
 
 Who in their Lord have part ; 
 The temples of the Holy Ghost 
 
 Surpass all earthly art. 
 
 But in that heavenly land where dwells 
 
 Nor discord nor disguise ; 
 Where always Form of Spirit tells 
 
 Nor virtue veiled lies ; 
 
 W T here only holiness is known 
 
 And only beauty seen ; 
 Where inner loveliness alone 
 
 Weaves the celestial sheen : 
 
 Will not each fair, bright soul divine 
 
 A form harmonious win ; 
 And through revealing Beauty shine 
 
 The Purity within ? 
 
 According to the holiness 
 
 W T ill not the lustre be ? 
 Will not transcendent bloom express 
 
 Transcendent sanctity ? 
 
 Will not the glory there bestowed 
 
 The rank of souls declare ? 
 Yes, will not the All-Holy God 
 
 Beam forth in the First Fair ? 
 
 O Thou amidst our sins and cares 
 
 Most holy, inly bright ! 
 " Thou Fairest of Ten Thousand Fairs " 
 
 In Thine own realm of light ! 
 
 24 
 
370 The Golden Chain of Praise. 
 
 Thy saints on earth most like to Thee 
 Will keep the likeness there : 
 
 Here pure with Thine own purity, 
 There with Thy beauty fair. 
 
 Still of their Lord their all they win ; 
 
 As shinest Thou, they shine ; 
 And beautiful without, within 
 
 Reflect their King Divine ! 
 
 tRRt 
 
ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF FIRST LINES. 
 
 Ah ! mightily we weaklings crave 
 
 Ah mortals who so soon decay ... 
 
 Ah tremblers fainting and forlorn 
 
 Ah! wherefore fall my tears so fast ... 
 
 Alas these pilgrims faint and worn 
 
 Alas this travail sore 
 
 Alas! with troubled tenderness 
 
 Almighty, whose might in true souls appears 
 
 Alone with Thee, with Thee alone 
 
 And didst Thou, Lord, our sorrows take 
 
 Angels bright, in strength excelling 
 
 As on green hill-tops Day divinely dawns 
 
 As panting pilgrim faileth 
 
 Behold the Everlasting Son 
 Behold this sore oppression 
 Blest soul that cleaveth, Lord, to Thee 
 Break, New-born Year, on glad eyes break 
 Bright Presence ! may my soul have part 
 Bright sun ! thou dost blessedly shine 
 Bright the eye of Israel beamed 
 Bright Thy presence when it breaketh 
 
 Can spirit-cheer more sweetness yield 
 
 Day divine! when sudden streaming ... 
 Dear Lord 2nd Master mine 
 
 371 
 
 48 
 198 
 169 
 187 
 
 US 
 
 197 
 
 49 
 39 
 29 
 
 51 
 
 46 
 
 18 
 
 129 
 
 53 
 200 
 128 
 
 i57 
 109 
 
 247 
 73 
 30 
 
 11 
 
 106 
 183 
 
37- 
 
 Alphabetical Table of First Lines. 
 
 Dear Lord ! Thou art not sorry 
 
 Dear Lord ! Thou bringest back the morn 
 
 Dear Lord ! Thy light Thou dost not hide 
 
 Dear Saviour, how completely ... 
 
 Did not Thy rising, Saviour sweet 
 
 Do we only give Thee heed 
 
 Doth not the soul with most delight ... 
 
 Doth the Heavenly Country seem 
 
 Each gift, dear Lord, by Thee bestowed 
 Each mighty power of Evil 
 Early, my God, I felt Thee near 
 Earthly lords so brief in sway ... 
 Embrace your full salvation 
 England, stint not thankful wonder 
 Everlasting! Changing never ... 
 
 Fain would I well employ my heart's poor treasure 
 
 Faint not along the heavenly road 
 
 Farewell, delightful day ... 
 
 Father, glorious with all splendour 
 
 Father! hast Thou not on me ... 
 
 For us the Lord doth mightily ... 
 
 Freemen of Christ, be glad this day 
 
 From what a depth to what a height ... 
 
 Full many a smile, full many a song ... 
 
 Grieves it, Lord, Thy longing lovers ... 
 
 Hast Thou not oft, Most High, redeemed our nation 
 Hast Thou not wrought Thy best on me 
 
 High up the eternal hills among 
 
 Holy Spirit ! dwell with me ... 
 
 How bitter, Lord, these tears I shed ... 
 
 How bright they bloom, those Heavenly Bowers 
 
 How can I, Lord, abide with Thee 
 
 HYMN 
 
 60 
 
 159 
 201 
 
 37 
 64 
 226 
 68 
 62 
 
 184 
 199 
 168 
 
 86 
 
 243 
 
 100 
 
 89 
 
 177 
 1 
 
 35 
 
 4 
 
 . 220 
 
 ■ 15 
 . 102 
 
 • 43 
 10 
 
 • 85 
 
 • 99 
 . 147 
 
 21 
 . 10S 
 
 • 93 
 
 • 235 
 . 191 
 
Alphabetical Table of First Lines. 373 
 
 HYMN 
 
 How closely do Thy people cling 74 
 
 How eagerly my heart hath sought ... ... ... ... 143 
 
 How great the joy of bloodless rites ... ... ... ... 42 
 
 How hard Thy holy law to keep ... ... ... ... 144 
 
 How, Lord, shall vows of ours be sweet 2 
 
 How mournfully the voice of Time ... ... ... ... 156 
 
 How Thy saints rejoice before Thee ... ... ... ... 104 
 
 I cannot, Lord, the time recall ... ... ... ... ... 194 
 
 I hail 3-ou not, Mansions Divine ... ... ... ... 245 
 
 I will be glad before Thee ... ... ... ... ... 228 
 
 Is Earth too fair, is youth too bright ... ... ... ... 167 
 
 Is not my spirit filled with Thine ... ... ... ... 27 
 
 Jesus, holiest, tenderest, dearest ... ... ... ... 80 
 
 Leave me not, leave me not alone ... ... ... ... 120 
 
 Let bolder hearts the strife require ... ... ... ... 137 
 
 Lift Thy song among the nations ... ... ... ... 90 
 
 Long, long have men lip-homage spent ... ... ... 82 
 
 Look not before, look not behind ... ... 20 
 
 Lord! am I precious in Thy sight ... ... ... ... in 
 
 Lord ! come too many gifts from Thee ... ... ... 181 
 
 Lord! comes this bidding strange to us ... ... ... 225 
 
 Lord! dost Thou ne'er Thy servants bless ... ... ... 221 
 
 Lord! from these trembling souls of ours ... ... ... 3 
 
 Lord God! by whom all change is wrought ... ... ... 124 
 
 Lord God ! of old who wentest ... ... ... ... ... 36 
 
 Lord God ! one blessing ever ... ... ... ... ... 96 
 
 Lord! hath our work depended ... ... 150 
 
 Lord! have I walked with Thee to-day ... ... ... 160 
 
 Lord ! how the world Thou dost o'ercome ... 33 
 
 Lord! I am Thine — but scarce a gift ... ... ... ... 135 
 
 Lord! I love Thee ! Sin and Sorrow ... ... ... ... 171 
 
 Lord ! if our dwelling-place Thou art 231 
 
 Lord ! in each weak endeavour ... ... ... ... 151 
 
74 Alphabetical Table of First Lines. 
 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 Lord 
 
 in this awful fight with Sin 
 in Thy people dost Thou dwell 
 is it ours to entertain 
 is it so ? art Thou indeed 
 leadeth not this desert land 
 may it be ? will Love regain 
 may not wrath within me rise 
 may the thirst of hunted deer 
 shall this weak world sore wound us 
 Thou delightest meetly ... 
 Thou hast been our dwelling-place 
 Thou hast set Thy people here 
 Thou wouldst bring us nigh to Thee 
 Thy Bright Presence doth not know 
 Thy gracious voice hath spoken 
 Thy presence dear delighteth ... 
 to Thy works so grand, so fair . . . 
 was it sweet Thy voice to hear 
 wax Thy lovers cold 
 we would praise Thee gloriously 
 what harmonious praise doth break 
 when I all things would possess 
 when we come at Thy dear call 
 who Thy people hast pursued ... 
 
 May Love exulting meetly cry ... 
 May one who oft all earthward yearns 
 May we not, Father, meetly mourn 
 Methinks the glory of my God ... 
 Methought my soul had learned to love 
 Mine own Redeemer ! dost Thou ask .. 
 My God ! I do not flee from Thee 
 My God ! my Majesty Divine 
 My God ! who all this happy while 
 
Alphabetical Table of First Lines. 
 
 375 
 
 No gazers dazed, no tremblers faint 
 
 No more may souls of worth 
 
 Not always here below shine forth 
 
 Not faintly, Lord, delight we take 
 
 Not, Lord, its own dear joys alone 
 
 Not, Lord, Thine ancient works alone . 
 
 Not onty, Lord, a helper true 
 
 Not ours the song that needs must soar 
 
 Not ours to breathe that early air 
 
 Not ours to dwell in sloth and sin 
 
 Not yet I love my God ... 
 
 Not yet, ye people of His grace... 
 
 Now to the one Almighty King 
 
 O awful hour, when all alone ... 
 
 O beaming sun ! O solemn stars 
 
 O ! beams there, Lord, upon Thine own 
 
 O days that low'r, O days that beam . 
 
 O height that doth all height excel 
 
 O Holy Ghost who down dost come . 
 
 O Love Divine that passeth thought . 
 
 O ! mean may seem this house of clay . 
 
 O mystery of Love Divine 
 
 O ! never from that Voice Divine 
 
 O ! not to fill the mouth of fame 
 
 O ! not upon our waiting eyes ... 
 
 O saints of old ! not yours alone 
 
 O smitten soul that cares and conflicts 
 
 O Spirit sweet and pure ... 
 
 O Thou, the Father's only Son ... 
 
 O Time! ne'er resteth thy swift wing . 
 
 O ! when did lips such grace declare . 
 
 O ! wherefore hath my spirit leave 
 
 O ! wherefore, Lord, doth Thy dear praise 
 
 HYMN 
 
 69 
 
 17 
 
 238 
 
 166 
 
 9 
 
 19 
 
 14 
 
 3i 
 
 61 
 
 178 
 
 140 
 
 249 
 
 105 
 
 186 
 
 28 
 
 244 
 
 230 
 
 25 
 118 
 
 52 
 55 
 56 
 
 75 
 196 
 
 50 
 202 
 122 
 131 
 
 7i 
 i54 
 246 
 138 
 
 45 
 
376 Alphabetical Table of First Lines. 
 
 O'er fulness of grace, blest Britain, rejoice 
 
 Of Angels do we not divinely deem 
 
 Offerer of the one oblation 
 
 Once more doth Earth her smile resume 
 
 Our fainting souls revive ... 
 
 Our fathers — how divinely the}' discerned 
 
 Our fulness, Lord, Thou askest 
 
 Our God ! our God ! Thou shinest here 
 
 Our lives, dear Lord, may bless Thee 
 
 Our years — they come and go ... 
 
 Queller of pride, of wrath, of wrong 
 
 Rejoice in your King, ye people of God 
 
 Sad soul ! doth fear confound thee 
 Saviour, in grace complete 
 Saviour ! needs the world no longer 
 Saviour ! what a glorious 3'earning 
 Saviour ! who from Death didst take 
 Shall not I seek Thee sorrowing 
 Sore the burdens, Lord, we bear 
 Speak, Lord, unto Thy people speak 
 Speak to me, Lord, and I will speak 
 Speaks not the heart of friend to friend 
 Sweet Saviour, did Thy soul divine 
 Sweet Spirit, Bringer of best things 
 Sweet Spirit ! in our various need 
 Sweet Spirit ! would Thy Breath Divine 
 Sweet, sweet these joys that throng me so 
 
 Tell of youv Redeemer's passion 
 That all-renewing work of Thine 
 The barriers will not always stay 
 
Alphabetical fable of First Lines. 577 
 
 HYMN 
 
 The glory of the spring how sweet 123 
 
 The Happy Fields, the Heavenly Host 240 
 
 The harmonies above ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 
 
 The light of morn, of noon, of even 163 
 
 The Lord sends forth His dooming voice 103 
 
 The New Year, Lord, we welcome make ... ... ... 158 
 
 The prayers, the songs we bring Thee, Lord... ... ... 44 
 
 The vale of tears your footsteps press ... ... ... 248 
 
 The wonders of thy story 98 
 
 These bodies frail that toil o'erpowers ... ... ... ... 127 
 
 They sought Thy tomb, Thou Saviour sweet ... ... ... 63 
 
 This manifold, full Life to know ... ... 179 
 
 Thou biddest, Lord, Thy sons be bold ... ... ... ... 212 
 
 Thou dost not, Lord, Thy folk forsake ... ... ... 76 
 
 Thou kindlest, Lord, Thy souls of light ... ... ... 101 
 
 Thou King of kings, Thou Lord of lords ... ... ... 210 
 
 Thou tarriest with the Father 79 
 
 Thou, who didst suffer and didst save ... ... ... ... 59 
 
 Thou workest on, Eternal God 8 
 
 Thrice blessed, Lord, the godly dread ... ... ... ... 174 
 
 Thrice blessed soul, who still hath made ... ... ... 214 
 
 Thy happy ones a strain begin ... ... ... ... 227 
 
 To glory back Thou goest ... ... ... ... ... 65 
 
 To Heaven each nation lendeth ... ... ... ... 91 
 
 Too dearly. Lord, hast Thou redeemed ... ... ... 153 
 
 Unto thy rest return ... ... ... ... . . ... 148 
 
 Uprisen Lord ! this day is Thine ... ... ... ... 34 
 
 j- 
 
 Vain, Lord, Thy servant's strong desire 
 
 Variously our God would win us 16 
 
 We bless the godly men of might ... ... ... ... 239 
 
 We bless Thee, Lord, for each dear link ... ... ... 215 
 
378 Alphabetical Table of First Lines. 
 
 HYMN 
 
 We bow before no altar ... ... ... ... ... ... 67 
 
 We come unto our fathers' God ... ... ... ... 207 
 
 We triumph in the glorious grace ... ... ... 233 
 
 What glory of the all-glorious God ... ... ... 211 
 
 What guerdon hast Thou, Lord, for those T 208 
 
 What joy in spirits pure and high 112 
 
 What joy to gaze upon that shining throng 205 
 
 What stream but Love Divine is won ... ... ... ... 229 
 
 What sweet peace those souls possesseth ... ... ... 175 
 
 What sweetness on Thine Earth doth dwell ... ... ... 242 
 
 What though a pilgrim faint and worn ... ... ... 188 
 
 When doth the soul so sweetly soar ... ... ... ... 161 
 
 When shall I, Lord, a journey take ... ... ... ... 133 
 
 Whence this flaming joy that maketh ... ... ... ... 134 
 
 Wherefore faint and fearful ever ... ... ... ... 13 
 
 Wherefore, Lord, abides no might ... ... ... ... 136 
 
 Who, Lord of Glory, will partake ... ... ... ... 234 
 
 Why hasteth on this pilgrim throng ... ... ... no 
 
 Why should the fulness of Thy grace ... ... ... ... 139 
 
 With sin I would not make abode ... ... ... ... 172 
 
 With what delight mine eye pursues ... ... ... ... 162 
 
 With what delight we name the name ... ... ... 78 
 
 Within our souls Thou dwellest, Lord ... ... ... 237 
 
 Wonders, Lord, Thy Church victorious ... ... ... 81 
 
 Would I not, Lord, for evermore ... ... ... ... 142 
 
 Would not Thy people, Lord ... ... ... ... ... 41 
 
 Would the Spirit more completely ... ... ... ... 107 
 
 Ye children of the Father ... ... ... ... ... 40 
 
 Ye of the Father loved ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 
 
 Ye people of the Lord, draw near ... ... ... ... 203 
 
 Ye souls for whom the Son did die ... ... ... ... 222 
 
 Ye souls, the Father's very own ... ... ... ... 223 
 
 Ye tower, majestic hills, ye tower ... ... ... ... 219 
 
WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 THE ANNIVERSARIES: 
 
 POEMS IN COMMEMORATION OF GREAT MEN 
 
 AND GREAT EVENTS. 
 
 Price 2s. 6d. 
 
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 THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST: 
 
 MEMORIALS OF FRANKLIN HOWORTH. 
 
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