2. Though Thou turn my joy to tears,
Faith to doubt, and hope to fears;
Stern though be the summons home,
Still, Lord, let the summons come.

3. Shouldst Thou bid me lay aside
All that fosters earthly pride,
Let me walk the lowly way,

If Thine arm may be my stay.

4. Should Thy chastening will require
All that feeds mine eyes' desire,
Take it, Lord, if in its place,

Shine the brightness of Thy face.

5. Seal, then, Lord, my heart to Thee,
Set it for Thy service free ;
Life and joy are truly mine
If whate'er I have is Thine.

840.

Henry Alford.

6.5.6.5. 12 lines

Forward.

1. FORWARD! be our watchword,

Steps and voices joined ;

Seek the things before us,
Not a look behind;

Burns the fiery pillar

At our army's head:

Who shall dream of shrinking,

By Jehovah led?

Forward, through the desert,

Through the toil and fight;
Jordan flows before us,

Zion beams with light.

2. Forward, when in childhood
Buds the infant mind;

All through youth and manhood,
Not a thought behind;

Speed through realms of nature,
Climb the steps of grace;
Faint not, till around us

Gleams the Father's face.

Forward, all the lifetime,
Climb from height to height:
Till the head be hoary,
Till the eve be light.

3. Forward, flock of Jesus,
Salt of all the earth,
Till each yearning purpose
Spring to glorious birth:
Sick, they ask for healing;
Blind, they grope for day :
Pour upon the nations

Wisdom's loving ray.

Forward, out of error;

Leave behind the night;

Forward, through the darkness,

841

I.

GOD

Forward into light!

The True Life.

OD of the earnest heart,

Henry Alford.

S.M.

The trust assured and still,

Thou who our strength for ever art,

We come to do Thy will.

2. Upon the toilsome way,
By saints serenely trod,

842.

I.

Bearing the burden of the day,
Would we go forth, O God!

3. 'Gainst doubt and shame and fear,
In human hearts to strive,

That all may learn to love and bear,
To conquer self, and live;

4. To draw Thy blessing down,
And bring the wronged redress,
And give this glorious world its crown
Of truth and righteousness.

5. No dreams from toil to charm,

No trembling on the tongue,―—
Lord, in Thy rest may we be calm,
Through Thy completeness strong.

6. Thou hearest while we pray ;
O deep within us write,

With kindling power, O God, to-day,
Thy Word-" On earth be Light!"

The Battle of Life.

S. Johnson

'HERE'S a strife we all must wage,

THE

From life's entrance to its close;

Blest the bold who dare engage,

Woe to him who seeks repose !

2. What, our foes? Each thought impure;
Passions fierce that tear the soul;

Every ill that we can cure;

Every crime we can control ;—

3. Every suffering which our hand

Can, with soothing care, assuage;
Every evil of our land;

Every discord of our age.

75.

4. On then, to the glorious field!
He who dies, true life shall save;
God Himself shall be our shield,

843.

844.

He shall bless and crown the brave.

S. G. Bulfinch.

The Church's Chivalry. 8.8.6.8.8.6.

I. AWAKE, awake, and for the strife,

For onward, upward, active life,

In earnest faith prepare!

Where conflict rages fierce and high,
There stands the Church's chivalry,
And thou, too, must be there.

2. Not with a sword by bloodshed stained,
Or for a wreath that, soon as gained,
Shall fade upon thy brow;

But, with the sword of God's own word,
And for the "Well done" of thy Lord,
Go forth and conquer now.

Strength.

J. S. Monsell.

1. FATHER, hear the prayer we offer!
Not for ease that prayer shall be:
But for strength that we may ever

Live our lives courageously.

2. Not for ever in green pastures
Do we ask our way to be;
But the steep and rugged pathway
May we tread rejoicingly.

3. Not for ever by still waters

Would we idly rest and stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

8.7.8.7.

4. Be our strength in hours of weakness;
In our wanderings, be our guide ;
Through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father, be Thou at our side.

845.

I.

Eternal Youth.

YOUNG souls, so strong the race to run
And win each height sublime!

Unweary still would ye march on,

And still exulting climb?

2. Walk with the Lord! along the road
Your strength He will renew:

Wait on the everlasting God,
And He will wait on you.

3. Burn with His love! your fading fire
An endless flame will glow;

Life from the Well of Life require,—
The stream will ever flow.

4. Ye shall not faint, ye shall not fail,
Still in the Spirit strong:

Each task divine ye still shall hail,
And blend the exulting song.

5. Aspiring eyes ye still shall raise,
And heights sublime explore:
Like eagles ye shall sunward gaze,
Like eagles, heavenward soar.

6. Your wondrous portion shall be this,
Your life below, above--

Eternal youth, eternal bliss,
And everlasting love.

C.M.

T. H. Gill.