No. 55. A Father's Love. St. Luke, xi. 9-13. WHAT can a father's feelings move, Too soon the world's ensnaring art grows Chilled by the world's cold selfishness, The world will echo back the voice Blest, then, are they to whom of Heaven, A daily source of pure delight, A spring that keeps the heart aright; And thus does sweet endearment grow, For Thou, O God, our Father art, And soften with thy heavenly dew; No. 56. Earthly Treasure. St. Luke, xii. 16-21. WHY comes that song of gladness From out those marble walls, As if no grief or sadness Could be within its walls? Is it the hymn that rises God's goodness in creation Wakes not that joyful strain; Elate with earthly treasure, And now, with song and laughter, He joys the wine to pour; He thinks not of hereafter, Enough the present hour; And knows not that to-morrow But, soon that morrow brightens And humble hearts it lightens As they pour their morning prayer; But, hushed is now the laughter And God to him has rendered His recompense of woe. Then let me seek that treasure Laid up in Heaven above; And give me, Lord, full measure Of thine eternal love; That when cold death shall sever My soul from this frail clay, I may with thee for ever Enjoy an endless day. No. 57. Jerusalem. St. Luke, xiii. 34, 35. OH! thou the fairest once of cities fair, Jerusalem, earth's chiefest joy and pride; Where David first, with harp and solemn air, Did chaunt his hymns at morn and even-tide. To thee from realms afar did monarchs bring Their gold and spicy gifts to David's Son; Foreshowing those who came their heavenly King To seek, a greater far than Solomon. And in thy streets and palaces alone, Did prophets tell of things revealed from heaven; Whilst all the world bowed down to wood and stone, To thee alone were truth and mercy given. But, chiefly wast thou blest that thou didst see |