Hymns #50 - Abide Not in the Realm of Dreams

Abide Not in the Realm of Dreams

Abide not in the realm of dreams,
O man, however fair it seems;
But with clear eye the present scan,
And hear the call of God and man.

Think not in sleep to fold thy hands,
Forgetful of thy Lord’s commands;
From duty’s claims no life is free,
Behold, today hath need of thee.

The present hour allots thy task,
For present strength and patience ask;
And trust His love whose sure supply
Meets all thy need abundantly.

(Words by William H. Burleigh)

This is a good reminder.  It brings to mind something our pastor said once about not reading fiction because it is an escape from the real world, or something to that effect.  Some people do, indeed, become too absorbed in such things, to the point that their spiritual life suffers.

Hymns #49 - Almighty Maker of My Frame

Almighty Maker of My Frame

Almighty Maker of my frame!
Teach me the measure of my days,
Teach me to know how frail I am,
And spend the remnant in Thy praise.

My days are shorter than a span,
A little point my life appears;
How frail at best is dying man!
How vain are all his hopes and fears!

Vain his ambition, noise and show;
Vain are the cares which rack his mind;
He heaps up treasures mixed with woe,
And dies and leaves them all behind.

O be a nobler portion mine!
My God, I bow before Thy throne;
Earth’s fleeting treasures I resign,
And fix my hope on Thee alone.

(Words by Anne Steele)

Hymns #48 - Above the Trembling Elements

Above the Trembling Elements

Above the trembling elements,
Above life’s restless sea,
Dear Savior, lift my spirit up,
O lift me up to Thee!

Great calmness there, sweet patience, too,
Upon Thy face I see;
I would be calm and patient, Lord,
O lift me up to Thee!

I am not weary of Thy work,
From earth I would not flee;
But while I walk and while I serve,
O lift me up to Thee!

That I may bless my tender friends,
And those who love not me;
But while I walk and while I serve,
O lift me up to Thee!

Whatever falls of good or ill,
Thy hand, Thy care I see,
And while these varied dealings pass,
O lift me up to Thee!

And when my eyes close for the last,
Still this my prayer shall be:
Dear Savior, lift my spirit up,
And lift me up to Thee!

(Words by Anna L. Price)

Hymns #47 - After the Mist and Shadow

I would like to dedicate this hymn to my dear friends, Dawn and Pam.

After the Mist and Shadow

After the mist and shadow,
After the dreary night,
After the sleepless watching,
Cometh the morning light;
Beautiful, soft and tender,
Leading the soul along,
Over the silent river,
Into the land of song.

After the thorny pathway,
After the storms we meet,
After the heart’s deep longing,
Joy and communion sweet;
After the weary conflict,
Rest in the Savior’s love,
Over the silent river,
Safe in the home above.

After the cares and trials,
After the toils and tears,
After the time of sowing,
Reaping thro’ endless years;
After the pilgrim journey,
Rapture that ne’er shall cease,
Over the silent river,
Rest in the land of peace.

(Words by Fanny Crosby)

Hymns #46 - Almighty Father, Who Dost Give

Almighty Father, Who Dost Give

Almighty Father, who dost give
The gift of life to all who live,
Look down on all earth’s sin and strife,
And lift us to a nobler life.

Lift up our hearts, O King of kings,
To brighter hopes and kindlier things;
To visions of a larger good,
And holier dreams of brotherhood.

Thy world is weary of its pain;
Of selfish greed and fruitless gain;
Of tarnished honor, falsely strong,
And all its ancient deeds of wrong.

Hear Thou the prayer Thy servants pray,
Uprising from all lands today,
And o’er the vanquished powers of sin,
O bring Thy great salvation in.

 

(Words by John H. B. Masterman)

Hymns #45 - Another Year Is Dawning

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

(Words by Frances R. Havergal)