1 The day is past and gone,

The evening shades appear;
O, may we all remember well,
The night of death draws near!

2 Lord, keep us safe this night,

Secure and free from fear;
May angels guard us till the light
Óf morning shall appear.

3 And then when we arise

And view th' unwearied sun,
May we press on to win the prize —
For heavenly glory run.

4 And when life's day is past,

And time shall be no more,
O, may we in thy presence rest,
Where night will come no more.

149

1 The day of praise is done;

T. LELAND.

The evening shadows fall;
Yet pass not from us with the sun,
True Light that lightenest all!

2 Too faint our anthems here;

Too soon of praise we tire;

But O, the strains how full and clear
Of that eternal choir!

3 'Tis thine each soul to calm,

Each wayward thought reclaim, And make our daily life a psalm Of glory to thy name.

152

HEBRON. L. M.

L. MASON.

2

1 Thus far the Lord hath led me on,
Thus far his power prolongs my days;
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of his grace.

2 Much of my time has run to waste,

And I, perhaps, am near my home;
But he forgives my follies past,
And gives me strength for days to come.

3 I lay my body down to sleep;

Peace is the pillow for my head; While well-appointed angels keep Their watchful stations round my bed.

4 Thus, when the night of death shall come. My flesh shall rest beneath the ground, And wait thy voice to rouse my tomb, With sweet salvation in the sound.

153

I. WATTS.

1 Great God, to thee my evening song With humble gratitude I raise ;

O let thy mercy tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise!

2 My days unclouded as they pass,

And every gently rolling hour, Are monuments of wondrous grace, And witness to thy love and power.

3 Seal my forgiveness in the blood

Of Jesus; his dear name alone I plead for pardon, gracious God, And kind acceptance at thy throne.

156

BAVA. L. M.

From the "GERMAN PSALTER."

1 My God, accept my early vows,
Like morning incense in thy house;
And let my nightly worship rise,
Sweet as the evening sacrifice.

2 Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord,
From every rash and heedless word;
Nor let my feet incline to tread
The guilty path where sinners lead.

3 O may the righteous, when I stray,

Smite and reprove my wandering way! Their gentle words, like ointment shed, Shall never bruise, but cheer my head. 4 When I behold them pressed with grief, I'll cry to heaven for their relief; And by my warm petitions prove How much I prize their grateful love.

157

I. WATTS.

1 Still evening comes, with gentle shade, Sweet harbinger of balmy rest From toilsome hours, and anxious thoughts,

Revolving in the pensive breast.

2 Refulgent day in darkness sets;

The noisy crowds are hushed in sleep; Harsh sounds to gentle murmurs turn, As o'er the fields the zephyrs sweep.

3 The hour is sweet when tumults cease; The scene obscured inspires my eye, And darkness marks the loved retreat Where pleasures live and sorrows die.

1 With heart and voice, O Lord, we raise
To thee a song of grateful praise,
For all the mercies thou hast shown
To us now gathered at thy throne.

2 Accept the sacrifice we bring ;
And may we ever closely cling
To thee, thy word, thy work, thy ways,
Till glory ends our pilgrim days.

3 Then in that world where none shall die, But live thy name to glorify,

We shall, with all the ransomed host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.