V. SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

285

Ordination.

WORD of the living harvest
That whitens o'er the plain,
Where angels soon shall gather
Their sheaves of golden grain;
Accept these hands to labor,

These hearts to trust and love,
And deign with them to hasten
Thy kingdom from above.
2 As laborers in Thy vineyard
Still faithful may they be,
Content to bear the burden
Of weary days for Thee;
To ask no other wages,

7.6.

When Thou shalt call them home,
But to have shared the travail
Which makes Thy kingdom come.
3 Come down, Thou Holy Spirit,
And fill their souls with light;
Clothe them in spotless raiment,
In vesture clean and white;
Within Thy sacred temple

Be with them where they stand,
To guide and teach Thy people
Throughout our native land.

4 Be with them, God the Father!
Be with them, God the Son
And God the Holy Spirit!

286

Most blessed Three in One!
Make them a holy priesthood,
Thee humbly to adore,

And fill them with Thy fullness
Both now and evermore !

L. M.

B And hear Thy Church's suppliant cry

OW down Thine ear, almighty Lord,

For all who preach Thy saving word,
And wait upon Thy ministry.

2 In mercy, Father, now give heed,

And pour Thy quickening Spirit's breath On those whom Thou dost call to feed Thy flock redeemed by Jesus' death. 3 O Saviour, from Thy pierced hand

Shed o'er them all Thy gifts divine: That those who in Thy presence stand May do Thy will with love like Thine. 4 Blest Spirit, in their hearts abide,

And give them grace to watch and pray; That as they seek Thy flock to guide,

Themselves may keep the narrow way. 5 O God, Thy strength and mercy send To shield them in their strife with sin; Grant them, enduring to the end, The crown of life at last to win.

287

L. M.

ATHER of mercies, bow Thine ear,

FAttentive to our earnest prayer;

We plead for those who plead for Thee;
Successful pleaders may they be!

2 How great their work, how vast their

charge!

Do Thou their anxious souls enlarge: Their best acquirements are our gain; We share the blessings they obtain. 3 Clothe, then, with energy divine Their words, and let those words be Thine; To them Thy sacred truth reveal, Suppress their fear, inflame their zeal. 4 Teach them to sow the precious seed; Teach them Thy chosen flock to feed; Teach them immortal souls to gain, Souls that will well reward their pain. 5 Let thronging multitudes around Hear from their lips the joyful sound; In humble strains Thy grace implore, And feel Thy new-creating power. 6 Let sinners break their massy chains, Distressed souls forget their pains; Let light through distant realms be spread, And Sion rear her drooping head.

288

SPIRIT of the living God,

In all Thy plentitude of grace, Where'er the foot of man hath trod, Descend on our apostate race.

L. M.

2 Give tongues of fire and hearts of love,
To preach the reconciling word;
Give power and unction from above,
Whene'er the joyful sound is heard.

3 Be darkness, at Thy coming, light;
Confusion, order, in Thy path;
Souls without strength inspire with might,
Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

4 Convert the nations! far and nigh
The triumphs of the cross record;
The Name of Jesus glorify,

Till every people call Him Lord.

289

P. M.

YOME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

Cand lighten ole

2 Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart.
3 Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
4 Enable with perpetual light

The dullness of our blinded sight.
5 Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
With the abundance of Thy grace.
6 Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
Where Thou art guide no ill can come.
7 Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee of both to be but One,
8 That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:
9 Praise to Thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Also the following:

497 Come, pure hearts, in sweetest measures. 581 Soldiers of the cross, arise!

584 Go, labor on! spend and be spent! 586 Lord, speak to me, that I may speak.

290

H'

Institution of Ministers.

EAVENLY Shepherd, Thee we pray
For Thy servant here to-day :

By the cross upon his brow,

By his ordination vow,

By the prayers which we have prayed
For the Holy Spirit's aid,

By the deep and fervent love

Owing to his Lord above,

Grant him faithful watch to keep,
Tend Thy lambs, and feed Thy sheep.

2 From the silent power of sin
Lurking secretly within,

May the grace that flows from Thee,
Heavenly Shepherd, set him free;
By the blessing on him breathed,
By the charge to him bequeathed,
Thou the Way, the Truth, the Life,
Gird him for the sacred strife,
Aye, his faithful watch to keep,
Tend Thy lambs, and feed Thy sheep.
3 Speed him on his life-long way,
Speed him whom we speed to-day;
Thou, the gracious, loving Lord,
Give him souls for his reward:
Till he win the promised crown,
When he lays his burden down

7s.