CREATOR Spirit, by whose aid
The world's foundations first were laid,
Come, visit every pious mind;
Come, pour thy joys on human kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make thy temples worthy thee.
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come, and thy sacred unction bring,
To sanctify us while we sing.
Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in thy sevenfold energy!
Refine and purge our earthy parts,
But oh, inflame and fire our hearts;
Our frailties help, our vice control,
Submit the senses to the soul;
And when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down.
Chase from our path each noxious foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
Make us eternal truths receive,
And practise all that we believe;
And, lest our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us in the way.
Gregory the Great, A. D. 590. Tr. John Dryden. ↑
"The spirit of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind."
I WANT the spirit of power within,
Of love, and of a healthful mind,
Of power to conquer every sin,
Of love to Thee and all mankind;
Of health that pain and death defies,
Most vigorous when the body dies.
Oh, that the Comforter would come,
Nor visit as a transient guest,
But fix in me his constant home,
And keep possession of my breast;
And make my soul his loved abode,
The temple of indwelling God!
Arranged by LOWELL MASON.
"Cast your burden upon the Lord."
How gentle God's commands !
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord,
And trust his constant care.
While Providence supports,
Let saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up,
Shall guide his children well.
Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind:
Haste to your heavenly Father's throne,
And sweet refreshment find.
His goodness stands approved,
Down to the present day:
I'll drop my burden at his feet,
And bear a song away.
A VOICE by Jordan's shore!
A summons stern and clear:
Reform! be just! and sin no more!
God's judgment draweth near!
A voice by Galilee,
A holier voice I hear:
Love God! thy neighbor love! for see, God's mercy draweth near!
O voice of Duty, still
Speak forth: I hear with awe;
In thee I own the sovereign will,
Obey the sovereign law.
Thou higher voice of Love!
Yet speak thy word in me;
Through Duty let me upward move
To thy pure liberty!
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