Since all the downward tracts of time
God’s watchful eye surveys,
O who so wise to choose our lot
Or to appoint our ways?

Good when He gives, supremely good,
Nor less when He denies;
E’en crosses from His sovereign hand
Are blessings in disguise.

Why should we doubt a Father’s love,
So constant and so kind?
To His unerring, gracious will
Be every wish resigned.

All that our Savior hath spoken
Came from the heart of God;
Surely it cannot be broken,
Sealed with His precious blood.

Refrain

Tempests may rage and thunder,
Mountains be rent asunder,
Nations may fear and wonder—
Trust, and be undismayed.

As unto Abram was given
God’s cov’nant word of peace,
“Counting the stars” of the even—
So shall thy faith increase.

Refrain

Trust when the light warm and tender
Seemeth to Thee withdrawn;
Wait a few hours, and in splendor
Morning again will dawn!

Refrain

Trust! tho’ all others forsake thee,
Yet there remains one Friend;
Mercy and truth shall o’ertake thee
Down to thy journey’s end.

Refrain

Trust under every condition
Till thou shalt reach thy home;
Trust, till in perfect fruition
That which is real hath come.

Refrain

What shall we offer our good Lord,
Poor nothings! for His boundless grace!
Fain would we His great Name record,
And worthily set forth His praise.

Great object of our growing love,
To Whom our more than all we owe,
Open the fountain from above,
And let it our full souls o’erflow.

So shall our lives Thy power proclaim,
Thy grace for every sinner free;
Till all mankind shall learn Thy Name,
Shall all stretch out their hands to Thee.

Open a door which earth and hell
May strive to shut, but strive in vain;
Let Thy Word richly in us dwell,
And let our gracious fruit remain.

O multiply the sower’s seed!
And fruit we every hour shall bear,
Throughout the world Thy Gospel spread,
Thy everlasting truth declare.

We all, in perfect love renewed,
Shall know the greatness of Thy power;
Stand in the temple of our God,
As pillars, and go out no more.

Holy Spirit, source of gladness,
Come with all Thy radiance bright;
O’er our weariness and sadness
Breathe Thy life and shed Thy light!
Send us Thine illumination,
Banish all our fears at length;
Rest upon this congregation,
Spirit of unfailing strength.

Let that love which knows no measure,
Now in quickening showers descend,
Bringing us the richest treasures
Man can wish or God can send;
Hear our earnest supplication,
Every struggling heart release;
Rest upon this congregation,
Spirit of untroubled peace!

Through the day Thy love has spared us;
Now we lay us down to rest;
Through the silent watches guard us,
Let no foe our peace molest;
Jesus, Thou our Guardian be;
Sweet it is to trust in Thee.

Pilgrims here on earth, and strangers,
Dwelling in the midst of foes;
Us and ours preserve from dangers;
In Thine arms may we repose.
And, when life’s sad day is past,
Rest with Thee in Heav’n at last.

While sinks our land to realms of night,
And twilight skies grow dim,
We raise again our joyful hearts
Our parting evening hymn.

We bless Thee for the warm, rich glow
Of this our hallowed day,
And for the love that year by year
Shines o’er our onward way.

And now, O Father, from on high
List to our evening prayer,
Shed o’er our hearts a blissful calm,
And keep us in Thy care.