Children's Worship: A Book of Sacred Song for Home and School

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3 'Tis a broad land of wealth unknown
Where springs of life arise,
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

4 The best, relief that mourners have;

It makes our sorrows blest;

Our fairest hope beyond the grave, And our eternal rest.

186

87.84.

ISAAC WATTS.

"Every word of God is pure."—
Prov. xxx. 5.

BOOK of grace, and book of glory,
Gift of God to age and youth,
Wondrous is Thy sacred story,
Bright, bright with truth!

2 Book of love! in accents tender
Speaking unto such as we;
May it lead us, Lord, to render
All, all to Thee.

3 Book of hope! the spirit, sighing,
Sweetest comfort finds in Thee,
As it hears the Saviour crying,
"Come, come to Me!"

4 Book of peace! when nights of sorrow Fall upon us drearily,

Thou wilt bring a shining morrow,

Full, full of Thee.

5 Book of life! when we, reposing, Bid farewell to friends we love, Give us, for the life then closing, Life, life above.

76.76.76.76.

187
TELL me the old, old story

"The testimony of Jesus."-
Rev. i. 9.

Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply,

As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.

Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.
2 Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in-
That wonderful redemption,
God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,

For I forget so soon;
The "early dew" of morning
Has passed away at noon.
Tell me,

&c.

8 Tell me the story softly,

With earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I'm the sinner

Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me that story always,
If you would really be,
In any time of trouble,
A comforter to me.

Tell me, &c.

4 Tell me the same old story,
When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory
Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world s glory
Is cawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story,

"Christ Jesus makes thee whole."
Tell me, &c.

KATE HANKEY.

76.76.76.76.

189

87.87.

"They testify of Me."-John v. 39. 1 EVER would I fain be reading, In the ancient holy Book, Of my Saviour's gentle pleading,. Truth in every word and look.

2 How, when children came, He blessed Suffered no man to reprove; [them, Took them in His arms, and pressed them

To His heart with words of love. 3 How to all the sick and tearful

Help was ever gladly shown;
How He sought the poor and fearful,
Called them brothers, and His own.
4 How no contrite soul e'er sought Him
And was bidden to depart :

How with gentle words He taught him,
Took the sin from out his heart.

188" Thy word is a. lamp unto my 5 Still I read the ancient story,

feet."-Ps. cxix. 105.

E love the good old Bible,
The glorious word of God;
The lamp for those who travel
O'er all life's dreary road.
The watchword in life's battle,
The chart on life's dark sea;
The beautiful. dear Bible,

It shall our teacher be.

2 Who would not love the Bible,
So beautiful and wise?
Its teachings charm the simple,
And point us to the skies.
Its stories true and noble,
Of men so brave to see;
The beautiful, dear Bible,

It shall our teacher be.

3 But most we love the Bible,

For there we children learn
How Christ for us became a child,
Our hearts to Him to turn;
And how He bowed to sorrow,
That we His face might see.
The Bible, oh! the Bible,

It shall our teacher be.

4 Then we will hold the Bible,

The glorious book of God;
We'll ne'er forsake the Bible
Through all life's future road.
And when we shall be dying,
Wherever we may be,
The beautiful old Bible

Shall still our solace be.

EDWIN PAXTON HOOD.

And my joy is ever new,
How for us He left His glory,

How He still is kind and true;
6 How the flock He gently leadeth
Whom His Father gave Him here;
How His arms He widely spreadeth
To his heart to draw us near.

7 Let me kneel, my Lord, before Thee,
Let my heart with tears o'erflow,
Melted by Thy love adore Thee,
Blest in Thee 'mid joy or woe.

77.77.

LUISE HENSEL.

190 "The holy Scriptures."-2 Tim.

iii. 15.

1 HOLY Bible! book divine,

Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine, to tell me whence I came,
Mine, to teach me what I am.

2 Mine, to chide me when I rove,
Mine, to show a Saviour's love;
Mine art thou, to guide my feet,
Mine, to judge, condemn, acquit.
3 Mine, to comfort in distress,
If the Holy Spirit bless;

Mine to show, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death.
4 Mine, to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner's doom;
Holy Bible! book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

JOHN BURTON.

191

66.66 (Trochaic).

"The word of the Lord endureth for ever."-1 Pet. i. 25.

ORD, Thy word abideth,

1 LO

And our footsteps guideth;

Who its truth believeth

Light and joy receiveth.

2 When our foes are near us,
Then Thy word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.

3 When the storms are o'er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.

4 Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy word imparted
To the simple-hearted?
5 Word of mercy, giving
Succour to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!
6 Oh that we, discerning

Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee!

192

HENRY W. BAKER.

C.M.

"O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!"-Ps. cxix. 5. THAT the Lord would guide my To keep His statutes still! [ways O that my God would grant me grace To know and do His will!

2 O send Thy Spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart;
Not let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.

3 From vanity turn off mine eyes,
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires, arise
Within this soul of mine.

4 Order my footsteps by Thy word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.
5 My soul hath gone too far astray,
My feet too often slip;
Yet since I've not forgot Thy way,
Restore Thy wandering sheep.

"Thou hast taught me from my

youth."-Ps. lxxi. 17.

THE praises of my tongue
I offer to my Lord,

[young

That I was taught, and learned so To read His holy word.

2 Dear Lord, this book of Thine
Informs me where to go

For grace to pardon all my sin,
And make me holy too.

3 O may Thy Spirit teach,

And make my heart receive,

Those truths which all Thy servants And all Thy saints believe. [preach, 4 Then shall I praise the Lord, In a more cheerful strain,

That I was taught to read His word, And have not learned in vain. ISAAC WATTS.

WE won't give up the Bible,

God's holy book of truth;
The blessed staff of hoary age,
The guide of early youth;
The sun that sheds a glorious light
O'er every dreary road;

The voice that speaks a Saviour's love,
And calls us home to God.

2 We won't give up the Bible

For pleasure or for pain;

[prize

We'll buy the truth, and sell it not
For all that we might gain.
Though man should try to take our
By guile, or cruel might,

We'd suffer all that man could do,
And God defend the right.

3 We won't give up the Bible,
But spread it far and wide,
Until its saving voice be heard
Beyond the rolling tide;

Till all shall know its gracious power,
And with one voice and heart
Resolve that from God's sacred word
We'll never, never part.

W. M. WHITTEMORE.

C.M.

195" Thy word is the joy of mine

heart."-Jer. xv. 16.

FATHER of mercies, in Thy word
What endless glory shines!

For ever be Thy name adored

For these celestial lines.

2 Here may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find,

Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.

3 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around,
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.

4 O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.

5 Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou for ever near;
Teach me to love Thy sacred word,
And view my Saviour there.
ANN STEELE.

76.76.76.76.

197 "The pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day."- Neh. ix. 19. WHEN Israel through the desert passed,

A fiery pillar went before, [waste, To guide them through the dreary And lessen the fatigues they bore. 2 Such is Thy glorious word, O God, 'Tis for our light and guidance given; It sheds a lustre all abroad, [heaven. And points the path to bliss and

196" "I will teach you the fear of the 3 It fills the soul with sweet delight,

Lord."-Ps. xxxiv. 11.

1 I LOVE to tell the story

Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory.

Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know it's true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else could do.

I love to tell the story,

"Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

2 I love to tell the story:

More wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies
Of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story;

It did so much for me;
And that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the sto y, &c. 3 I love to tell the story;

'Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it,
More wonderfully sweet.

I love to tell the story,

For some have never heard

And quickens its inactive powers;
It sets our wandering footsteps right,
Displays Thy love and kindles ours.
4 Its promises rejoice our hearts,
Its doctrines are divinely true;
Knowledge and pleasure it imparts,
It comforts and instructs us too.

2 Tim. iii. 16.

THY word is like a garden, Lord,

With flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck
A lovely nosegay there.

2. Thy word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.

3 Thy word is like the starry host;
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveller,
And make his pathway bright.
4 Thy word is like a glorious choir,
And loud its anthems ring;
Though many tongues and parts unite,
It is one song they sing.

5 Thy word is like an armoury,
Where soldiers may repair;
And find for life's long battle-day
All needful weapons there.
60 may I love Thy precious word,
May I explore its mine!
May I its fragrant flowers glean,
May light upon me shine!

7 O may I find my armour there,-
Thy word my trusty sword,
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.

199.

C.M.

EDWIN HODDER.

"So shall My word be."-Isa. lv. 11. 1 THY word, O Lord! like gentle dews, Falls soft on hearts that pine; Lord! to Thy garden ne'er refuse This heavenly rain of Thine.

2 Thy word is like a flaming sword,
A wedge that cleaveth stone;
Keen as a fire, so burns Thy word;
Let its full work be done.

3 Thy word, a wondrous guiding star
Ön pilgrim hearts doth rise;

Oh guide the souls who wander far, And make the simple wise.

200

GERMAN, tr. by C. WINKWORTH.

C.M.

"The entrance of Thy word giveth
light."-Ps. cxix. 130.

1 THE Spirit breathes upon the word,
And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.

2 A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun;

It gives a light to every age;
It gives, but borrows none.

3 The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise;
They rise, but never set.

4 Let everlasting thanks be Thine,
For such a bright display

As makes a world of darkness shine With beams of heavenly day. 5 My soul rejoices to pursue The steps of Him I love, Till glory breaks upon my view In brighter worlds above.

WILLIAM COWPER.

201

C.M.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet."-Ps. cxix. 105.

LAMP of our feet, whereby we trace Our path when wont to stray; Stream, from the fount of heavenly Brook, by the traveller's way: [grace; 2 Bread of our souls, whereon we feed, True manna from on high;

Our guide and chart, wherein we read Of realms beyond the sky :

3 Pillar of fire, through watches dark, And radiant cloud by day; [bark, When waves would whelm our tossing Our anchor and our stay:

4 Word of the Everlasting God, Will of His glorious Son;

Without Thee how could earth be trod, Or heaven itself be won?

5 Lord, grant us all aright to learn
The wisdom it imparts;

And to its heavenly teaching turn,
With simple, childlike hearts.

BERNARD BARTON.

HOW

Ps. cxix. 9.

shall the young secure their hearts,

And guard their lives from sin ? Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean.

2 When once it enters to the mind,
It spreads such light abroad,
The meanest souls instruction find,
And raise their thoughts to God.
3 'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light,
That guides us all the day;

And through the dangers of the night,
A lamp to lead our way.

4 The men that keep Thy law with care, And meditate Thy word,

Grow wiser than their teachers are,
And better know the Lord.

5 Thy precepts make me truly wise;
I hate the sinner's road;

I hate mine own vain thoughts that rise, But love Thy law, my God.

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