 | My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays |  |
242
TWO HYMNS,
For the Celebration of the Lord's Supper, at the first Church in Dorchester.
[HYMN 1st.]
MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE GENTILES.
Matthew, 2d.
WRITTEN AT THE PARTICULAR REQUEST OF THE CHURCH AND ITS BELOVED PASTOR.
When on the midnight of the east,
At the dead moment of repose,
Like hope on misery's darkened breast,
The planet of salvation rose.
At the dead moment of repose,
Like hope on misery's darkened breast,
The planet of salvation rose.
The Shepherd, leaning o'er his flock,
Started with broad and upward gaze;
Kneel'd—while the star of Bethlehem broke
On music, wakened into praise.
Started with broad and upward gaze;
Kneel'd—while the star of Bethlehem broke
On music, wakened into praise.
If heathen monarchs from afar
Followed, when darkness round them spread,
The kindling glories of that star,
And worshipped where its radiance led.
Followed, when darkness round them spread,
The kindling glories of that star,
And worshipped where its radiance led.
Shall we, for whom that star has risen,
For whom that Shepherd music flow'd,
Regardless hear of sins forgiven,
Nor claim the promise God bestowed!
For whom that Shepherd music flow'd,
Regardless hear of sins forgiven,
Nor claim the promise God bestowed!
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Shall we, for whom the Saviour bled,
Careless his banquet's blessing see;
Nor heed the parting word, that said,
Remember Him, who died for thee!
Careless his banquet's blessing see;
Nor heed the parting word, that said,
Remember Him, who died for thee!
HYMN 2d.
FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER AT THE FIRST CHURCH IN DORCHESTER.
I.
And hast thou, Lord to sinners given,Pardon, and peace, and hope, and heaven!
To man's offending race restored
The blessing of the absolving word!
While to thy table we are led,
And pour that wine, and break that bread,
With which the incarnate God was fed!
With which the incarnate God was fed!
II.
Ne'er may the earth's vain wishes raise,Lips hallowed by thy prayer, and praise;
No more the thoughts of sin surprise
Hearts of the accepted sacrifice—
Hearts claimed by thee, whose wakeful woes
Gave the contending world repose;
Dark ere the sun of glory rose.
Dark ere the sun of glory rose!
III.
Dark ere the rays of mercy shone,Dark ere the gospel's light was known;
Dark, ere in guilt and misery's hour,
The Lord of life—of love—of power,
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Eternal victory to the grave;
And died—a sinning world to save,
And died—a sinning world to save!
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