The opening year thy graces shall proclaim, Thou earth, enlightened by his rays divine, Teeming with grass, and corn, and oil, and wine; Crowned with his goodness let thy nations meet, And lay their crowns at his paternal feet; With grateful love that liberal hand confessing, Which through each heart diffuseth every blessing. His mercy never ends: the dawn, the shade Still see new beauties, through new scenes displayed; Succeeding ages bless this sure abode, And children lean upon their father's God. The deathless soul, through its immense duration, Drinks from this source immortal consolation. Burst into praise, my soul! all natures join; While human years are measured by the sun, The Epiphany, or Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. And, lo, the star which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.---Matt. c. 11. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid! Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining, Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him, in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch, and Saviour of all! Say shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gold would his favour secure; Richer by far is the heart's adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor! Brighest and best of the sons of the morning, Star of the east the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid! BISHOP HEBER. Good Friday. "It is finished"---John xix. 30. Hark! the voice of love and mercy Hear the dying Saviour cry! "It is finish'd!" O what pleasure Do these cheering words afford! Heav'nly blessings without measure Flow from our redeeming Lord. "It is finished!" Saints the blessed word record. Finish'd, all the types and shadows Finish'd, all that God has promis'd; "It is finished!" Saints from hence your comfort draw! Tune your harps anew, ye seraphs! All on earth, and all in heaven, Join to praise Immanuel's name ! Endless glory to the Lamb. Meditation on Good Friday. "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour."---John xii. Think, O my soul, what love to thee 'Twas here the Lord of Life appear'd, And felt the horrors of despair. When on the cross he bled and died, Such pangs to bear, O what could move? Love for the careless and the base, O love of unexampled kind, Leaving all finite love behind: Where length, and breadth, and depth, and height Are lost to our astonished sight! Easter Day. "He is risen as he said."---Matt. xxviii. Most glorious Lord of Life, that on this day Didst make thy triumph over death and sin; And, conquering the grave, didst bring away Captivity, thence captive us to win. This joyous day, Lord, we with joy begin; And grant that we, for whom thou then didst die, Being with thy dear blood clean wash'd from sin, May live for ever in felicity: And that thy love we weighing worthily, So let us love, dear Lord, like as we ought, Ascension Sunday. SPENSER. "After the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven."---Mark xvi. Our Lord is risen from the dead; And angels chaunt the solemn lay; |