AT THE VESPERS.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. TIT. ii.

"Supreme Motor cordium."

GREAT Mover of all hearts, whose hand
Doth all the secret springs command
Of human thought and will,

Thou, since the world was made, dost bless
Thy saints with fruits of holiness,
Their order to fulfil.

Faith, hope, and love, here weave one chain
But love alone shall then remain,

When this short day is gone:

O love, O truth, O endless light,
When shall we see thy Sabbath bright
With all our labours done?

We sow 'mid perils here and tears;
There the glad hand the harvest bears,
Which here in grief hath sown.

Great God Triune, the increase give,
And these Thy gifts, by which we live,
With heavenly glory crown!

HYMNS FOR THE SEASONS.

IN ADVENT.

AT MIDNIGHT.

Watch ye, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of Man.-LUKE XXI.

"Instantis adventum Dei."

OUR God approaches from the skies;

Let us for Him prepare,

With dread prelusive symphonies,

And deep heart-glowing prayer.

Nor doth the everlasting Son
Abhor the Virgin's womb :
That we from bondage may be won,
He bears a servant's doom.

Gentle and meek He comes; arise,

Sion, behold thy King,

And haste to meet Him, nor despise The peace He deigns to bring.

He shall return the Judge e'en now
On clouds with light'ning riven,
And His own body left below
In triumph bear to Heaven.

Let crimes, the brood of night, depart
From the approaching morn ;

And the old Adam of the heart
Before the newly-born.

All praise, while endless ages run,

To Father ever blest,

To Spirit, and eternal Son,

In flesh made manifest.

AT THE MATTINS.

Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is the Branch; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord.-ZECH. vi.

"Jordanis oras prævia."

Lo, the Baptist's herald cry
Shakes the Jordan;

Let the wakening eye and ear
Welcome the great harbinger.

Earth, and sea, and listening sky,
Wait their Maker;

And throughout the mighty womb,

Feel the jubilee is come.

Let us cast the way on high,

For His coming;

Cleanse the heart, and make it mee

For His heav'n-descended feet.

Jesu, strength, and solace nigh,

And salvation!

Without Thee, like withering grass,
Man doth into nothing pass.