One Hundred Holy Songs, Carols, and Sacred Ballads ::

It is noteworthy that Jacob does not get the better blessing till he has told his name, which is in fact to confess his fault. I am “a Supplanter.” With the true blessing, which God (as his Father foreknew) had in store for him, but which he would not wait for, he receives a better name. Having confessed his fault, it is to be named no more.

It should be observed that in singing a hymn with a chorus, the hymn itself can be sung by one voice or many; but these one or many continue to sing with the chorus when it joins in.

Hymns with a burden are sung dividing the singers into two parties, and these never join.

A double hymn cannot be sung by less than four voices, the first commencing and the second answering.

Hymn, page 118, is intended for an adult baptism or reception into the Church.

While his God, th' Almighty Lord,
Jacob cried on, by the ford,
In a moonless midnight dim;
Suddenly took hold on him
A greatness, that he could not scan,
A Majesty that was a man.

Now was he in evil case,
His sins look'd him in the face;
All his soul was dark with fear
Of God's silentness austere;
Strife till dawn—and cometh then,
Esau, with four hundred men.

Esau, to avenge his wrong.
“O, the blessing trusted long;
For its cause I, banish'd, bann'd,
Sojourn'd in an alien land;
Now I feel Thy frown divine,
That teacheth me, it is not mine.”

With the Wrestler striving sore,
Still he cries on God the more,
“Wilt Thou—wilt Thou me forgive?”
But none answering bids him live,
How shall he his cause make good,
One of God and man withstood.

130

How!—O Wrestler, hid from sight,
Only yet reveal'd by night,
If thy nature learn'd at length
He took hold upon thy strength,
Thou, and none but Thou, can'st know
Who said sweetly, “Let me go.”

Nay, no other help is nigh,
If he fail he can but die;
Turn'd to mourning, and to woe,
Is the birthright bought below;
For the blessing falsely won,
He, at dawn, shall be undone.

“Wherefore comest Thou then by night,
Ere Thy time? Thyself Thy might
To me yielding—till that fail,
Wrestler, how should'st Thou prevail?
Till Thou me forgiveness show,
I will never let Thee go.

I confess to Thee my name,
All its meaning, all its blame;
From its misery set me free,
And, departing, bless Thou me,
For on whom Thy blessings rest,
He, I wot, indeed is blest.”

So He bless'd him there—and day
Dawn'd,—the Wrestler went His way.

131

Night to noon, and noon to night,
Still He yields mankind His might;
Wrestling Love He wills to fail,
O my soul, thou shalt prevail!

University of Virginia Library

[While his God, th' Almighty Lord]