512 L. M. Glorying only in the cross. Gal. 6:14.
When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride!
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ, my Lord: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet— Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all!
513 L. M. Delight in Christ.
Jesus, thou Joy of loving hearts! Thou Fount of Life! thou Light of men! From the best bliss that earth imparts, We turn unfilled to thee again.
2 Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood; Thou savest those that on thee call; To them that seek thee, thou art good, To them that find thee—All in All!
3 We taste thee, O thou Living Bread, And long to feed upon thee still; We drink of thee, the Fountain Head, And thirst our souls from thee to fill.
4 Our restless spirits yearn for thee, Where’er our changeful lot is cast; Glad, when thy gracious smile we see, Blest, when our faith can hold thee fast.
5 O Jesus, ever with us stay! Make all our moments calm and bright, Chase the dark night of sin away— Shed o’er the world thy holy light!
514 L. M. Soft be the gently breathing notes.
Soft be the gently breathing notes That sing the Saviour’s dying love; Soft as the evening zephyr floats, Soft as the tuneful lyres above: Soft as the morning dews descend, While warbling birds exulting soar; So soft to our almighty Friend Be every sigh our bosoms pour.
2 Pure as the sun’s enlivening ray, That scatters life and joy abroad; Pure as the lucid orb of day, That wide proclaims its Maker, God; Pure as the breath of vernal skies, So pure let our contrition be; And purely let our sorrows rise To him who bled upon the tree.
515 L. M. Communion in Christ.
How pleasing to behold and see The friends of Jesus all agree— To sit around the sacred board As members of one common Lord.
2 Here we behold the dawn of bliss— Here we behold the Saviour’s grace— Here we behold his precious blood, Which sweetly pleads for us with God.
3 While here we sit, we would implore That love may spread from shore to shore, Till all the saints, like us, combine To praise the Lord in songs divine.
4 To all we freely give our hand, Who love the Lord in every land; For all are one in Christ our head, To whom be endless honors paid.
516 L. M. Welcome to young converts.
Welcome, ye hopeful heirs of heaven, To this rich feast of gospel love— This pledge is but the prelude given To that immortal feast above.
2 How great the blessing, thus to meet According to our Saviour’s word, And hold by faith communion sweet, With our unseen yet present Lord.
3 And if so sweet this feast below, What will it be to meet above, Where all we see, and feel, and know, Are fruits of everlasting love!
4 Soon shall we tune the heavenly lyre, While listening worlds the song approve; Eternity itself expire, Ere we exhaust the theme of love.
517 L. M. The last scenes.
’Twas on that night when doomed to know The eager rage of every foe, That night in which he was betrayed, The Saviour of the world took bread;
2 And, after thanks and glory given To him that rules in earth and heaven, That symbol of his flesh he broke, And thus to all his followers spoke:
3 My broken body thus I give To you, my friends; take, eat, and live; And oft the sacred feast renew, That brings my wondrous love to view.
4 Then in his hands the cup he raised, And God anew he thanked and praised; While kindness in his bosom glowed, And from his lips salvation flowed.
5 My blood I thus pour forth, he cries, To cleanse the soul in sin that lies; In this the covenant is sealed, And heaven’s eternal grace revealed.
6 This cup is fraught with love to men; Let all partake who love my name; Through latest ages let it pour In memory of my dying hour.
518 L. M. The bread of life.
Away from earth my spirit turns— Away from every transient good: With strong desire my bosom burns To feast on heaven’s diviner food.
2 Thou, Saviour, art the living bread; Thou wilt my every want supply; By thee sustained, and cheered, and led, I’ll press through dangers to the sky.
3 What though temptations oft distress, And sin assails, and breaks my peace; Thou wilt uphold, and save, and bless, And bid the storms of passion cease.