2 Our hamlets, sheltered by Thy care, Abodes of peace and plenty are; Our tillage by Thy blessing yields An hundred fold from ripened fields: And flowing grain, and burthened vine, Are tokens of Thy Love divine. 3 The cradled head of infancy Doth owe its tranquil rest to Thee; Youth's doubting step, man's firmer tread, In years mature, by Thee are led; Secure may trembling age, oh Lord! Lean on its staff, Thy holy Word. 4 Teach us these blessings to improve, Teach us to serve Thee, teach to love; Exalt our hearts, that we may see The Giver of all good in Thee; And be Thy word our daily food, Thy service, Lord, our greatest good. 568. 7s. M. Mary W. Hale. Christmas. 1 When in silence, o'er the deep, Darkness kept its deathlike sleep, Soon as God His mandate spoke, Light in wondrous beauty broke. 2 But a beam of holier light Gilded Bethlehem's lonely night, When the glory of the Lord, Mercy's sunlight, shone abroad. 3 "Peace on earth, good-will to men." Burst the glorious anthem then; Angels, bending from above, Joined that strain of holy love. 4 Floating o'er the waves of time, Comes to us that song sublime, Bearing to the pilgrim's ear Words to soothe, sustain, and cheer. 5 For creation's blessed light, Praise to Thee, Thou God of might! Seraph-strains Thy name should bless For the Sun of Righteousness! 569. P. M. Longfellow. Ordination. 1 Christ to the young man said: "Yet one thing more, If thou wouldst perfect be; Sell all thou hast and give it to the poor, And come and follow me!" 2 Within this temple, Christ again, unseen, Those sacred words has said; And his invisible hands to-day have been Laid on a young man's head. 3 And evermore beside him on his way, The unseen Christ shall move, That he may lean upon his arm and say, "Dost thou, dear Lord, approve?" 4 Beside him at the marriage feast shall be, To make the scene more fair; Beside him in the dark Gethsemane Of pain and midnight prayer. 5 O holy trust! O endless sense of rest! Like the beloved John, To lay his head upon the Saviour's breast, And thus to journey on! 570. 7s. M. C. Wesley. At Sea. 1 Lord! whom winds and seas obey, Guide us through the watery way; In the hollow of Thy hand, Hide and bring us safe to land. 2 Father, let our faithful mind Rest, on Thee alone reclined: Every anxious thought repress, Keep our souls in perfect peace.