beaming
With thy sure mercies, Lord--
Thy truth and grace redeeming,
Sent o'er the earth abroad,
The hoary shrines of error
Have cast aside; and free
From darkness, doubt, and terror
Its children come to thee.

3 The Present! Loudly sounding,
Its cheering tones are heard;
Be our full hearts abounding
In its strong Hope and Word!
Be strength and wisdom, Father!
Bestowing what we need,
Truth's harvest-sheaves to gather--
Christ's kingdom here to speed.

4 The Future! Indications
Of mightier works are there:--
Truth's promised revelations;
Thine arm of power made bare;
From sin's dread reign exemption:
Man's life in Christ, divine;
The erring world's redemption;
The glory, Father, thine!

729. C. M. Mrs. Sawyer.

The Same.

1 We gather in the name of God,
And, bowing down the head,
We stretch our waiting hands abroad,
And humbly ask for aid:
For aid, when o'er the spirit's day,
Thick clouds of darkness rest,
That we may chase the gloom away,
And light the darkened breast.

2 For strength to lead the poor, the weak
Who tread the vale of years,--
For pity's hand to dry the cheek
Where sorrow sits in tears;
For hope, the beautiful and bright,
That whispers, "Ne'er despond!"
For faith, that through the darkest night
Still sees a star beyond.

3 Bold heralds of the cross, O God,
Undaunted send us forth;
Salvation be our rallying word,--
Our field, the boundless earth;
Love on our lips, and in our soul,
Our labors never done;
O Sovereign Helper! till the goal
By all at last be won.

730. 7s. M. H. K. White.

Closing Hymn at an Association.

1 Christians! brethren! ere we part,
Every voice and every heart
Join, and to our Father raise
One last hymn of grateful praise.

2 Though we here should meet no more,
Yet there is a brighter shore;
There, released from toil and pain,
There we all may meet again.

3 Now to him who reigns in heaven
Be eternal glory given;
Grateful for thy love divine,
O may all our hearts be thine!

731. C. M. Sutton.

The Same.

1 Hail, sweetest, dearest tie that binds
Our glowing heart