4. Redeemer ! send Thy piercing rays,

That we may bear to be
Set in the light of Thy pure gaze,
And yet rejoice in Thee.

Roman Breviary, tr. J. H. Newman,

II.IO.II. IO.

724.

The Light of the Lord. 1. Now, when the dusky shades of night, retreating

Before the sun's red banner, swiftly flee;
Now, when the terrors of the dark are fleeting,

O Lord, we lift our thankful hearts to Thee,2. To Thee, whose word, the fount of life unsealing,

When hill and dale in thickest darkness lay,
Awoke bright rays across the dim earth stealing,

And bade the eve and morn complete the day. 3. Look from the height of heaven, and send to cheer us

Thy light and truth to guide us onward still ;
Still let Thy mercy, as of old, be near us,

And lead us safely to Thy holy hill.
4. So, when that morn of endless light is waking,

And shades of evil from its splendours flee, Safe may we rise, the earth's dark breast forsaking,

Through all the long bright day to dwell with Thee.

I.

725.
Daily Need.

L.M.
NOW
OW that the daylight fills the sky,

We lift our hearts to God on high ;
That He, in all we do or say,

Would keep us free from harm to-day.
2. May He restrain our tongues from strife,

And shield from anger's din our life,
And guard with watchful care our eyes
From earth's absorbing vanities.

3. O may our inmost hearts be pure,

From thoughts of folly kept secure ;
And pride of sinful flesh subdued

Through sparing use of daily food.
4. So we, when this day's work is o'er,

And shades of night return once more,
With conscience by the world unstained,
Shall praise His name for victry gained.

St. Ambrose, tr. J. M. Neale.

C.M.

726. God's Blessing on the Day. 1. NOW

OW that the sun is beaming bright,

Implore we, bending low,
That He, the Uncreated Light,

May guide us as we go.
2. No sinful word, nor deed of wrong,

Nor thoughts that idly rove,
But simple truth be on our tongue,

And in our hearts be love.
3. And grant that to Thine honour, Lord,

Our daily toil may tend ;
That we begin it at Thy word,
And in Thy favour end.

St. Ambrose.

727.

The Light of God's Face. 6.6.4.6.6.6.4. 1. FATHER of world and soul,

Changeless while ages roll,
Boundless in grace !
Who, with Thy strength and rest,
Quickenest and quietest,
Now in each yearning breast

Unveil Thy face!

2. Word, whose creative thrill
Wakes in all Nature still

Life, light, and bloom !
Now, with resistless ray,
Chase all our clouds away,
And with Thy heavenly day

Our souls illume !
3. Spirit, in whom we live !
Thou who dost yearn to give

All hearts Thy rest!
When earthly joys take flight,
Cheer Thou the earthly night,
And in the morning light

Still be our guest.
4. And when the Eternal Morn,
From death's deep night shades born,

Our eyes shall see,
Father ! Thy Word, Thy Breath,
Thy Christ, who conquereth
Sorrow and sin and death,
Our trust shall be.

Charles T. Brooks.

728.

Still with Thee.

II.IO.II.IO.

1. STILL, still with Thee, when purple morning

breakethWhen the bird waketh, and the shadows flee; Fairer than morning, lovelier than the daylight,

Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee 2. Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows,

The solemn hush of nature newly born ;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,

In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

3. Still, still with Thee, as to each new-born morning

A fresh and solemn splendour still is given,
So doth this blessed consciousness, awaking,
Breathe, each day, nearness unto Thee and

heaven. 4. When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber,

Its closing eye looks up to Thee in prayer; Sweet the repose, beneath Thy wings o'ershadowing,

But sweeter still to wake and find Thee there. 5. So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,

When the soul waketh, and life's shadows flee; O! in that hour, fairer than daylight's dawning, Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee !

Harriet Beecher Stowe.

729.

Another Blue Day. 6.5.6.5. 1. So here hath been dawning

Another blue day :
Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away?
2. Out of eternity

This new day is born ;
Into eternity

At night will return.
3. Behold it aforetime

No eye ever did;
So soon it for ever

From all eyes is hid.
4. Here hath been dawning

Another blue day :
Think wilt thou let it
Slip useless away?

Thomas Carlyle.

75.

Evening Hymns. 730.

Evening
1. SLOWLY, by Thy hand unfurled,

Down around the weary world
Falls the darkness, O how still

Is the working of Thy will !
2. Mighty Maker! Here am I,

Work in me as silently,
Veil the day's distracting sights,
Show me heaven's eternal lights.

3. From the darkened sky come forth

Countless stars. A wondrous birth !
So may gleams of glory dart
From this dim abyss, my heart.

4. Living worlds to view be brought

In the boundless realms of thought ;
High and infinite desires,
Flaming like those upper fires.

5. Holy Truth, Eternal Right,

Let them break upon my sight;
Let them shine, serene and still,

And with light my being fill.
6. Thou, who dwellest there, I know,

Dwellest here within me too,
May the perfect peace of God,
Here, as there, be shed abroad.

7. Let my soul attuned be

To the heavenly harmony,
Which, beyond the power of sound,
Fills the Universe around.

W. H. Furness.