3. How beauteous nature now! How dark and sad before! With joy we view the pleasing change And nature’s God adore. 4. O may no gloomy crime Pollute the rising day; May Jesus’ blood, like morning dew, Wash all our stains away. 5. May we this life improve To mourn for errors past And live this short, revolving day As if it were our last. Charles Wesley, 1741. 26 7s Now the shades of night are gone, Now the morning light is come; Lord, may we be Thine to-day, Drive the shades of sin away. 2. Fill our souls with heavenly light, Banish doubt and cleanse our sight; In Thy service, Lord, to-day, Help us labor, help us pray. 3. Keep our haughty passions bound, Save us from our foes around; Going out and coming in, Keep us safe from every sin. 4. When our work of life is past, Oh, receive us then at last! Night of sin will be no more When we reach the heavenly shore. Samson Occom, 1770. 27 C. M. Lord of my life, O may Thy praise Employ my noblest powers; Whose goodness lengthens out my days And fills the circling hours. 2. Preserved by Thine almighty arm, I pass the shades of night, Serene and safe from every harm, And see returning light. 3. When sleep, death’s semblance, o’er me spread, And I unconscious lay, Thy watchful care was round my bed To guard my feeble clay. 4. O let the same almighty care My waking hours attend; From every trespass, every snare, My heedless steps defend. 5. Smile on my minutes as they roll And guide my future days; And let Thy goodness fill my soul With gratitude and praise. Anne Steele, 1760. 28 7s 6 l Every morning mercies new Fall as fresh as morning dew; Every morning let us pay Tribute with the early day; For Thy mercies, Lord, are sure, Thy compassion doth endure. 2. Still the greatness of Thy love Daily doth our sins remove; Daily, far as east from west, Lifts the burden from the breast; Gives unbought to those who pray Strength to stand in evil day. 3. Let our prayers each morn prevail That these gifts may never fail; And as we confess the sin And the Tempter’s power within, Feed us with the Bread of Life, Fit us for our daily strife.