THE CREATION. BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay, To swell th' inspiring theme. Ye fields of light, celestial plains, Your Maker's wond'rous power proclaim, Ye angels catch the thrilling sound, Join, ye loud spheres, ye vocal choir : The mighty chorus aid! Soon as gray ev'ning gilds the plain, And praise him in the shade. Thou heaven of heavens, his vast abode, Whate'er a blooming world contains, Ye dragons, sound his awful name Let ev'ry element rejoice Ye thunders burst with awful voice, To Him, ye graceful cedars bow, Tell, when affrighted nature shook, And trembl'd at his frown. Ye flocks that haunt the humble vale, Ye insects fluttering on the gale, In mutual concert rise: Crop the gay rose's vermeil bloom, Wake, all ye mountain tribes, and sing; To him who shap's your finer mould, Let man, by nobler passions sway'd, Spread his tremendous name around, Till heaven's broad arch rings back the sound, The gen'ral burst of joy. MIGHTY God, while angels bless thee, May an infant lisp thy name? Lord of men as well as angels, Thou art every creature's theme. Lord of every land and nation, For the grandeur of thy nature Grand beyond a seraph's thought; For created works of power, Works with skill and kindness wrought; For thy providence. that governs Through thine empire's wide domain, But thy rich, thy free redemption, Brightness of the Father's glory, Did archangels sing thy coming? Did the shepherds learn their lays? From the highest throne in glory, Go, return, immortal Saviour, Leave thy footstool, take thy throne; Thence return and reign for ever, THE GREAT PHYSICIAN. DEEP are the wounds which sin has made; Where shall the sinner find a cure? In vain, alas is nature's aid; The work exceeds all nature's pow'r. And can no sov'reign balm be found; There is a great Physician near, See in thy dying Saviour's blood 'Tis only this all-powerful flood Can ease thy pain, and heal thy woe. Sin throws in vain its pointed dart, A cordial for the fainting heart, balm for ev'ry painful wound. |