2 Holy and creative Light!
We invoke thy kindling ray;
Dawn upon our spirits' night,
Turn our darkness into day.
3 Give the struggling peace for strife, Give the doubting light for gloom; Speed the living into life,
Warn the dying of their doom.
4 Work in all; in all renew
Day by day the life divine;
All our wills to thee subdue,
All our hearts to thee incline!
Frederic Henry Hedge.
52 Engagedness in Devotion.
I Lord, before thy presence come, Bow we down with holy fear: Call our erring footsteps home, Let us feel that thou art near. 2 Wandering thoughts and powers
Come not where devotion kneels; Let the soul expand her stores,
Glowing with the joy she feels.
I Father! we look up to thee;
Let us in thy love agree:
Thou who art the God of peace,
Bid contention ever cease.
2 Let us for each other care,
Each the other's burden bear;
Ready, when reviled, to bless;
Studious of the law of peace.
3 Father! all our souls inspire;
Fill us with love's sacred fire.
Guided by that blessed light,
Order all our steps aright.
4 Free from anger, free from pride,
Let us thus in thee abide;
All the depth of love express,
All the height of holiness.
From sin and sor- row set us free, And make us tem- ples worthy thee.
2 Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy sacred unction bring,
To sanctify us while we sing.
Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy sevenfold energy!
3 Refine and purge our earthly parts,
But oh, inflame and fire our hearts;
Our frailties help, our vice control,
Submit the senses to the soul;
And when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down.
4 Chase from our path each noxious foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
Make us eternal truths receive,
And practise all that we believe;
And, lest our feet should go astray,
Protect and guide us in the way.
Gregory the Great, A. D. 590. Tr. John Dryden.
Faith of Our Fathers.
1 Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
2 Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
How sweet would be their children's
fate,
If they, like them, could die for thee!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
3 Faith of our fathers! we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife; And preach thee too, as love knows how,
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Lift up the voice!Wake the sweet psalter and harp; Set holy mu-sic re - sound - ing.
2 Praise ye the Lord, who with majesty ruleth in all things;
Who thee preserves and upbears as on pinions of eagles;
Who thee upholds when by thyself thou wouldst fall.
Verily, hast thou not known it?
3 Praise ye the Lord, who prepareth thy way in his wisdom;
When thy strength faileth, he keepeth thy feet for his love's sake.
In what great need hath not the merciful God
Spread his wings over his children?
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