Jesus still lead on

Jesus still lead on,
Till our rest be won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow, calm and fearless;
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.

If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us,
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a foe
To our home we go.

When we seek relief
From a long felt grief,
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring;
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.

Jesus, still lead on,
Till our rest be won;
Heavenly Leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.
       Nicolaus Ludwig v. Zinzendorf  Tr Jane Borthwick, altered

How blessed, from the bonds of sin

How blessed, from the bonds of sin
And earthly fetters free,
In singleness of heart and aim
Thy servant, Lord, to be!
The hardest toil to undertake
With joy at Thy command,
The meanest office to receive
With meekness at Thy hand!

With willing heart and longing eyes
To watch before Thy gate,
Ready to run the weary race,
To bear the heavy weight;
No voice of thunder to expect,
But follow, calm and still,
For love can easily divine
The One Beloved's will.

Thus may we serve Thee, Gracious Lord!
Thus ever Thine alone,
Our souls and bodies given to Thee,
The purchase Thou hast won;
Through evil or through good report
Still keeping at Thy side.
By life or death, in this poor flesh
Let Christ be magnified!

How happily the working days
In this dear service fly!
How rapidly the closing hour,
The time of rest, draws nigh!
When all the faithful gather home,
A joyful company.
And ever where the Master is,
Shall His blest servants be.
       Karl Johann Philipp Spitta Tr Jane Borthwick

O God of Jacob, by Whose hand

O God of Jacob, by Whose hand
Thy people still are fed;
Who through this weary pilgrimage
Hast all our fathers led!

To Thee our humble vows we raise,
To Thee address our prayer;
And in Thy kind and faithful breast
Deposit all our care.

Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.

Oh, spread Thy covering wings around
Till all our wanderings cease,
And at our Father's loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace.

To Thee, as to our covenant God,
We’ll our whole selves resign;
And thankful, own that all we are
And all we have is Thine.
        Philip Doddridge, altered

For all the saints, who from their labors rest

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia!  Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia!  Alleluia!
         William Walsham How

The saints of God! their conflict past

The saints of God! their conflict past,
And life's long battle won at last,
No more they need the shield or sword:
They cast them down before the Lord.
O happy saints, forever blest,
At Jesus’ feet how safe your rest!

The saints of God! their wanderings done,
No more their weary course they run,
No more they faint, no more they fall,
No foes oppress, no fears appal.
O happy saints, forever blest,
In that dear home how sweet your rest!

The saints of God! life's voyage o'er,
Safe landed on that blissful shore,
No stormy tempests now they dread,
No roaring billows lift their head:
O happy saints, forever blest,
In that calm haven of your rest!

The saints of God their vigil keep,
While yet their mortal bodies sleep,
Till from the dust they too shall rise
And soar triumphant to the skies:
O happy saints, rejoice and sing;
He quickly comes, your Lord and King!

O God of saints! to Thee we cry;
O Saviour! plead for us on high;
O Holy Ghost! our Guide and Friend,
Grant us Thy grace till life shall end;
That with all saints our rest may be
In that bright paradise with Thee!
        William Dalrymple Maclagan

What are these in bright array,

What are these in bright array,
This innumerable throng,
Round the altar, night and day,
Hymning one triumphant song?
"Worthy is the Lamb, once slain,
Blessing, honor, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches to obtain,
New dominion ev’ry hour."

These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now, before the throne of God,
Sealed with His almighty Name,
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their great Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.

Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb amidst the throne
Shall to living fountains lead;
Joy and gladness banish sighs;
Perfect love dispels all fears;
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away the tears.
        James Montgomery

Great is the Lord our God

Great is the Lord our God,
And let His praise be great;
He makes His churches His abode,
His most delightful seat.

These temples of His grace,
How beautiful they stand!
The honors of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.

In Zion God is known
A refuge in distress;
How bright has His salvation shone
Through all her palaces!

Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold,
Where His own sheep have been.

In every new distress
We'll to His house repair,
We’ll think upon His wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.
       Isaac Watts