The Church Militant

LEARNING THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT'S SONG

SING We the song of those who stand

Around the eternal throne,

Of every kindred, clime, and land,
A multitude unknown.

Life's poor distinctions vanish here;
To-day, the young, the old,
Our Saviour and his flock appear
One Shepherd and one fold.

Toil, trial, suffering, still await

On earth the pilgrim throng;

Yet learn we, in our low estate,

The Church triumphant's song.

"Worthy the Lamb for sinners slain,"

Cry the redeemed above, "Blessing and honour to obtain,

And everlasting love."

"Worthy the Lamb!" on earth we sing, "Who died our souls to save; Henceforth, O Death! where is thy sting? Thy victory, O Grave?"

Then, hallelujah! power and praise

To God in Christ be given;
May all who now this anthem raise,
Renew the strain in heaven!

Redeeming Love.

Now begin the heavenly theme,
Sing aloud in Jesus' name;
Ye who his salvation prove,
Triumph in redeeming love.

Ye who see the Father's grace
Beaming in the Saviour's face,
As to Canaan on ye rove,
Praise and bless redeeming love.

Mourning souls, dry up your tears,
Banish all your guilty fears;
See your guilt and curse remove,
Cancelled by redeeming love.

Ye, alas! who long have been
Willing slaves of death and sin,
Now from bliss no longer rove,
Stop, and taste redeeming love.

Welcome all by sin opprest, Welcome to his sacred rest; Nothing brought him from above, Nothing but redeeming love.

When his Spirit leads us home,
When we to his glory come,
We shall all the fulness prove
Of our Lord's redeeming love.

He subdued th' infernal powers,
Those tremendous foes of ours;
From their cursed empire drove,
Mighty in redeeming love.

Hither, then, your music bring;
Strike aloud each joyful string:
Mortals, join the host above,
Join to praise redeeming love.

Perfection.

O How the thought of God attracts
And draws the heart from earth,
And sickens it of passing shows,
And dissipating mirth!

"Tis not enough to save our souls,
To shun the eternal fires;

The thought of God will rouse the heart To more sublime desires.

God only is the creature's home,

Though long and rough the road;

Yet nothing less can satisfy

The love that longs for God.

O utter but the name of God,
Down in your heart of hearts,

And see how from the world at once

All tempting light departs.

A trusting heart, a yearning eye,
Can win their way above;

If mountains can be moved by faith,
Is there less power in love?

How little of that road, my soul!
How little hast thou gone!

Take heart, and let the thought of God
Allure thee further on.

The freedom from all wilful sin,
The Christian's daily task;
O these are graces far below
What longing love would ask!

Dole not thy duties out to God,
But let thy hand be free:
Look long at Jesus; his sweet blood,
How was it dealt to thee?

The perfect way is hard to flesh;
It is not hard to love;

If thou wert sick for want of God,
How swiftly wouldst thou move!

Good is the cloister's silent shade,
Cold watch and pining fast;
Better the mission's wearing strife,
If there thy lot were cast.

Yet none of these perfection needs;
Keep thy heart calm all day,
And catch the words the Spirit there

From hour to hour may say.

O keep thy conscience sensitive;
No inward token miss;

And go where grace entices thee:
Perfection lies in this.

Be docile to thy unseen Guide;
Love him as he loves thee;
Time and obedience are enough,
And thou a saint shalt be!

Prayer for the Spirit.

COME, Holy Spirit, come,

Let thy bright beams arise;
Dispel the sorrow from our minds,
The darkness from our eyes.

Convince us of our sin;

Then lead to Jesus' blood;

And to our wondering view reveal
The secret love of God.

Revive our drooping faith;

Our doubts and fears remove; And kindle in our breasts the flame Of never-dying love.

'Tis thine to cleanse the heart,

To purify the soul,

To pour fresh life in every part,

And new create the whole.