Once the angel started back, When he saw the blood-stained door, Pausing on his vengeful track, And the dwelling passing o’er. Once the sea from Israel fled, Ere it rolled o’er Egypt’s dead. 2 Now our Passover is come, Dimly shadowed in the past, And the very Paschal Lamb, Christ, the Lord, is slain at last. Then with hearts and hands made meet, Our unleavened bread we’ll eat. 3 Blesséd Victim sent from heaven, Whom all angel hosts obey, To whose will all earth is given, At whose word hell shrinks away. Thou hast conquered death’s dread strife, Thou hast brought us light and life. PRAYER AND SOCIAL MEETINGS. 547 L. M. The Mercy Seat. From every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat— ’Tis found beneath the Mercy Seat. 2 There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads, A place than all besides more sweet— It is the blood-bought Mercy Seat. 3 There is a scene where spirits blend, Where friend holds fellowship with friend; Though sundered far, by faith they meet Around one common Mercy Seat. 4 Ah! whither could we flee for aid, When tempted, desolate, dismayed; Or how the host of hell defeat, Had suffering souls no Mercy Seat? 5 There! there on eagle wings we soar, And sin and sense seem all no more, And heaven comes down our souls to greet, And glory crowns the Mercy Seat! 6 O let my hand forget her skill, My tongue be silent cold and still, This bounding heart forget to beat, Ere I forget the Mercy Seat! 548 L. M. This is the gate of heaven. Gen. 28:17. How sweet to leave the world awhile And seek the presence of our Lord! Dear Saviour! on thy people smile, And come according to thy word. 2 From busy scenes we now retreat, That we may here converse with thee: Ah! Lord! behold us at thy feet— Let this the “gate of heaven” be. 3 “Chief of ten thousand!” now appear, That we by faith may see thy face: O! grant that we thy voice may hear, And let thy presence fill this place. 549 L. M. For a business meeting. Benignant God of love and power, Be with us in this solemn hour; Smile on our souls; our plans approve, By which we seek to spread thy love. 2 Let each discordant thought be gone, And love unite our hearts in one; Let all we have and are combine To forward objects so divine. 550 L. M. Hour of prayer.