ABIDE WITH ME, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day.
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless.
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Reveal Thyself before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies,
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee.
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
      W. H. Monk.
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BLESSÈD ASSURANCE, Jesus is mine:
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

   This is my story, this is my song,
   Praising my Saviour all the day long.
   This is my story, this is my song,
   Praising my Saviour all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blessed.
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
     Fanny J. Crosby.
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THE DAY THOU GAVEST, LORD, IS ENDED,
The darkness falls at Thy behest.
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank Thee that Thy church unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking,
Our brethren ’neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making,
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord! Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away.
Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.
     John Ellerton.
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O LORD MY GOD! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

   Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,
   How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
   Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
   How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die—I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home—what joy shall fill my heart!
Then shall I bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
     Stuart K. Hine.
Contributors:   Revd. Graham Summers, David Carter, Deborah Yeates, Sylvia Bentham, Alison Bright
Production:   David Carter