Thou who the night in prayer didst spend And then didst Thine apostles send, And bidd’st us pray the harvest’s Lord To send forth sowers of Thy Word,— Hear and Thy chosen servants bless With sevenfold gifts of holiness. 2. Oh, may Thy pastors faithful be, Not laboring for themselves, but Thee! Give grace to feed with wholesome food The sheep and lambs bought by Thy blood, To tend Thy flock, and thus to prove How dearly they the Shepherd love. 3. Oh, may Thy people faithful be, And in Thy pastors honor Thee, And with them work, and for them pray, And gladly Thee in them obey; Receive the prophet of the Lord And gain the prophet’s own reward! 4. So may we, when our work is done, Together stand before Thy throne And joyful hearts and voices raise In one united song of praise, With all the bright celestial host, To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. C. Wordsworth. 493 L. M. Bow down Thine ear, almighty Lord, And hear Thy Church’s suppliant cry For all who preach Thy saving Word And wait upon Thy ministry. 2. In mercy, Father, now give heed And pour Thy quickening Spirit’s breath On those whom Thou dost call to feed Thy flock redeemed by Jesus’ death. 3. O Savior, from Thy piercèd hand Shed o’er them all Thy gifts divine That those who in Thy presence stand May do Thy will with love like Thine. 4. Blest Spirit, in their hearts abide And give them grace to watch and pray, That, as they seek Thy flock to guide, Themselves may keep the narrow way. 5. O God, Thy strength and mercy send To shield them in their strife with sin; Grant them, enduring to the end, The crown of life at last to win. T. E. Powell, 1864. CROSS AND COMFORT. 494 8, 7, 8 l Whate’er God will, let that be done; His will is ever wisest; His grace will all thy hope outrun Who to that faith arisest. The gracious Lord Will help afford, He chastens with forbearing; Who God believes And to Him cleaves, Shall not be left despairing. 2. My God is my sure Confidence, My Hope, and my Existence; His counsel is beyond my sense, Yet I’ll not make resistance. His Word declares The very hairs Upon my head are numbered; His mercy large Holds me in charge, With care that never slumbered.