2.

How charming is their voice!
How sweet the tidings are!
Zion, behold thy Saviour King,
'He reigns and triumphs here!'

3.

How blessed are our ears

That hear this joyful sound, Which kings and prophets waited for, And sought, but never found!

4.

How blessed are our eyes
That see this heavenly light!
Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight.

5.

Christians, unite your tongues,
And cheerful notes employ;
Let saving love inspire your songs,
And heathens learn the joy.

190. L. M. EXETER COLLECTION. The love of God displayed in the gospel.

1.

To thee my heart, eternal King,
Would now its thankful tribute bring;
To thee its humble homage raise,
In songs of ardent, grateful praise.

2.

All nature shows thy boundless love
In worlds below and worlds above;
But in thy blessed word I trace
The richer glories of thy grace.

3.

There, what delightful truths are given! There Jesus shows the way to heaven; His name salutes my listening ear, Revives my heart, and checks my fear.

4.

There Jesus bids our sorrows cease,
And gives the labouring conscience peace;
Raises our grateful feelings high,
And points to mansions in the sky.

5.

For love like this, O may my song
Through endless years thy praise prolong;
And distant climes thy name adore,
Till time and nature are no more!

LORD, I have made thy word my choice,
My lasting heritage;

There shall my noblest powers rejoice,
My warmest thoughts engage.

2.

'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light
That guides us all the day;

And through the dangers of the night
A lamp to lead our way.

3.

I'll read the histories of thy love,
And keep thy laws in sight,
While through the promises I rove
With ever-fresh delight.

4.

"Tis a broad land of wealth unknown,
Where springs of life arise;
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown,
And hidden glory lies.

5.

The best relief that mourners have,
It makes our sorrows blest;
Our fairest hope beyond the grave,
And our eternal rest.

192. P. M. DODDRIDGE. The salutary effects of the gospel.

1.

MARK the soft-falling snow,

And the diffusive rain :

To heaven, from whence it came,
It turns not back again;

But waters earth through every pore,
And calls forth all its secret store.

2.

Array'd in beauteous green,
The hills and valleys shine,
And man and beast are fed
By providence divine:

The harvest bows its golden ears,
The copious seed of future years.

3.

"So," saith the God of grace,
"My gospel shall descend,
Almighty to effect

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"The purpose I intend;

"Millions of souls shall feel its power, "And bear it down to millions more."

193. L. M.

DODDRIDGE.

The happy effects of religious knowledge.

1.

BRIGHT Source of intellectual rays,
Father of spirits and of

grace,
O dart with energy unknown
Cœlestial beamings from thy throne!

2.

Thy sacred book we would survey,
Enlighten'd with that heavenly ray,
And ask thy spirit, with the word
To teach our souls to know the Lord.

3.

So shall our children learn the road
That leads them to their fathers' God;
And, form'd by lessons so divine,
Shall infant minds with knowledge shine.

4.

So shall the haughtiest soul submit, With children placed at Jesus' feet: The noisy swell of pride shall cease, And thy sweet voice be heard in peace.

194. C. M. J. TAYLOR.

The mission of Christ.

1.

PREPARE," the appointed herald cried, "The Lord's straight path prepare: "Let valleys rise, let hills subside, "And rugged ways grow fair.

2.

"Then shall the race of man behold "Salvation from on high;

"Then shall the Saviour long foretold "Commence his ministry."

3.

Spotless the heaven-taught Teacher stood,
And meekly bow'd his head,
While from old Jordan's sacred flood
Baptismal rites were shed.

4.

Now spake the announcing voice of heaven, While bright the glory shone: "To you the Christ of God is given, "Jehovah's chosen Son!

5.

"Him hear; with him my covenant stands; "With power I him invest;

"I place my sceptre in his hands, My truth inspires his breast.

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6.

With joy we hear the gospel's laws;
We love the Saviour's name;

We bless the First Eternal Cause,
From age to age the same.