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278
THE PREACHER OF FIFTY YEARS.
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Written for, and sung on, the semi-centennial anniversary of a venerable clergy-man's pastoral life.
Lord, thy countless gifts possessing,
While for them we render praise,
For a great, a signal blessing,
Now, peculiar notes we raise.
Unto Thee, with spirits fervent,
Would we lift, in grateful song,
Him, our friend, thy faithful servant;
Thine so early! ours so long!
While for them we render praise,
For a great, a signal blessing,
Now, peculiar notes we raise.
Unto Thee, with spirits fervent,
Would we lift, in grateful song,
Him, our friend, thy faithful servant;
Thine so early! ours so long!
Since his life's warm morning glory
Lit the dewy flower of youth,
Till his locks are thin and hoary,
He hath taught thine holy truth.
To our fathers he was given,
Fifty years ago to-day:
Still he labors here for heaven;
But our fathers,—where are they?
Lit the dewy flower of youth,
Till his locks are thin and hoary,
He hath taught thine holy truth.
To our fathers he was given,
Fifty years ago to-day:
Still he labors here for heaven;
But our fathers,—where are they?
He hath seen our loved ones languish,
By their dying pillows kneeled,
Cheered their souls, and soothed our anguish,
When their lips in death were sealed.
When the spirit passed its portal,
Where the clay is left behind,
For its night, the sleeping mortal
He in hope to earth consigned.
By their dying pillows kneeled,
Cheered their souls, and soothed our anguish,
When their lips in death were sealed.
When the spirit passed its portal,
Where the clay is left behind,
For its night, the sleeping mortal
He in hope to earth consigned.
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He hath, from the world's broad highways,
Soldiers for the cross enrolled;—
From its poisonous dells and by-ways,
Gathered lambs for Jesus' fold.
He hath guarded, called, and fed them;
Faithful Pastor of thy flock!
He hath kept the path, and led them
In thy shadow, Living Rock!
Soldiers for the cross enrolled;—
From its poisonous dells and by-ways,
Gathered lambs for Jesus' fold.
He hath guarded, called, and fed them;
Faithful Pastor of thy flock!
He hath kept the path, and led them
In thy shadow, Living Rock!
Babes, that of the sprinkled waters
Took from him the sacred sign,—
Trained to Zion, sons and daughters,
In his crown as stars will shine.
Drawn by him to life's pure fountain,
Where the deathless lily grows,
They have trod the spicy mountain,
Bright with Sharon's thornless rose.
Took from him the sacred sign,—
Trained to Zion, sons and daughters,
In his crown as stars will shine.
Drawn by him to life's pure fountain,
Where the deathless lily grows,
They have trod the spicy mountain,
Bright with Sharon's thornless rose.
As to grass the dews of Hermon,
Like the shower on Syria's palm,
Oft from him hath come the sermon,
Precept clear, and counsel calm;
Till the soul, revived and nourished,
Reared its head, and looked above,
And to bless the laborer flourished,
Spreading wide its arms of love.
Like the shower on Syria's palm,
Oft from him hath come the sermon,
Precept clear, and counsel calm;
Till the soul, revived and nourished,
Reared its head, and looked above,
And to bless the laborer flourished,
Spreading wide its arms of love.
Yet, O Lord, he doth not falter
In thy service or thy ways!
Grant him still, to light thine altar,
Strength refreshed, and lengthened days.
Still thy jewels may he gather,
And be glory all divine,
Honor, praise, Eternal Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, thine!
In thy service or thy ways!
Grant him still, to light thine altar,
Strength refreshed, and lengthened days.
Still thy jewels may he gather,
And be glory all divine,
Honor, praise, Eternal Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, thine!
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