LO, GOD IS HERE! "Gott ist gegenwärtig! lasset uns anbeten." JOHN WESLEY, founder of Methodism, was born at Epworth, June 17, 1703, and was educated at the Charter-house and at Oxford University. He went to Georgia as missionary, and on the way met some Moravians, whose acquaintance caused a change in his views. He began a series of religious efforts which effected a wonderful revival of evangelical religion in England. He translated hymns from the German, French, and Spanish. He died in London, March 2, 1791. Lo, God is here! Let us adore, And own how dreadful is this place! Let all within us feel his power, And silent bow before his face! Who know his power, his grace who prove, Serve him with awe, with reverence love. Lo, God is here! Him day and night The united choirs of angels sing: To him, enthroned above all height, Heaven's hosts their noblest praises bring: Disdain not, Lord, our meaner song, Who praise thee with a stammering tongue! Gladly the toys of earth we leave, Wealth, pleasure, fame, for thee alone: To thee our will, soul, flesh, we give; Oh, take, oh, seal them for thine own! Thou art the God! Thou art the Lord! Be thou by all thy works adored! HENRY F. LYTE. Being of beings, may our praise Still hear and do thy sovereign will! In thee we move; all things of thee Fall prostrate, lost in wonder, fall, So may thy influence us inspire, GERHARD TERSTEEGEN, 1731. Translated by REFUGE IN THE SANCTUARY. FORTH from the dark and stormy sky, Lord, to thine altar's shade we fly; Forth from the world, its hope and fear, Saviour, we seek thy shelter here: THE LORD'S HOUSE. JAMES GRAHAME was born at Glasgow, Scotland, April 22, 1765, and studied law, contrary to his wishes, to gratify his father, who was an attorney. He published the poem by which he is known, "The Sabbath," anonymously, and became very popular. From it the following lines are extracted. The Quarterly Review said that it would always hold its place among those poems that are and deserve to be in the hands of the people. Grahame died Sept 14, 1811. He had studied for the ministry, and for two years before his death was an ordained minister. BUT chiefly man the day of rest enjoys. Hail, Sabbath! Thee I hail, the poor man's day. On other days the man of toil is doomed And summer's heat by neighboring hedge or tree; But on this day, embosomed in his home, He shares the frugal meal with those he loves; As in the tiny dew-bent flowers that bloom He hopes (yet fears presumption in the hope) To reach those realms where Sabbath never ends. But now his steps a welcome sound recalls: Solemn the knell from yonder ancient pile, Fills all the air, inspiring joyful awe : Slowly the throng moves o'er the tomb-paved ground; The aged man, the bowed down, the blind Led by the thoughtless boy, and he who breathes 583 With pain, and eyes the new-made grave, well-pleased; These, mingled with the young, the gay, approach The house of God, these, spite of all their ills, A glow of gladness feel: with silent praise The people rising sing, "With harp. with harp, At every close, the lingering strain prolong. He smiles on death; but ah! a wish will rise, "Would I were now beneath that echoing THE LORD'S HOUSE. The gates, adorned with pearls most bright, All those who are on earth distrest 585 And to his only Son most true, "Alto ex Olympi vertice." From highest heaven, the Father's Son, His house on earth and house on high. That house on high, — it ever rings O Lord of lords invisible ! To God the Father glory due Translated from an unknown Latin author THE HOUSE OF GOD. LORD of the worlds above, The sparrow for her young |