3 Peace, with her olives crowned, shall stretch Her wings from shore to shore; No trump shall rouse the rage of war, Nor murderous cannon roar. 4 Lord! for these days we wait;--these days Are in thy word foretold; Fly swifter, sun and stars! and bring This promised age of gold. 5 Amen!--with joy divine, let earth's Unnumbered myriads cry; Amen!--with joy divine, let heaven's Unnumbered choirs reply. Thomas Gibbons, 1769. 68 Evan. C.M. _The Incomparable Richness of God's Word._ (150) Father of mercies, in thy word What endless glory shines! Forever be thy name adored For these celestial lines. 2 Here may the wretched sons of want Exhaustless riches find-- Riches above what earth can grant, And lasting as the mind. 3 Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, And yields a free repast; Sublimer sweets than nature knows Invite the longing taste. 4 Here the Redeemer's welcome voice Spreads heavenly peace around; And life and everlasting joys Attend the blissful sound. 5 Oh, may these heavenly pages be My ever dear delight; And still new beauties may I see And still increasing light. Anne Steele, 1760. 69 Devizes. C.M. _The Bible Our Light._ (149) How precious is the book divine, By inspiration given! Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, To guide our souls to heaven. 2 Its light, descending from above, Our gloomy world to cheer, Displays a Savior's boundless love, And brings his glories near. 3 It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, In this dark vale of tears; Life, light, and joy it still imparts, And quells our rising fears. 4 This lamp, through all the tedious night Of life, shall guide our way, Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal day. John Fawcett, 1782. 70 Devizes. C.M. _Psalm 119._ (158) How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean. 2 'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day; And, through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way. 3 Thy precepts make me truly wise; I hate the sinners' road; I hate my own vain thoughts that rise But love thy law, my God! 4 Thy word is everlasting truth; How pure is every page! That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age. Isaac Watts, 1719. 71 Devizes. C.M. _Perfection of the Law and Testimony._ (154) Thy law is perfect, Lord of light; Thy testimonies sure; The statutes of thy realm are right, And thy commandments pure. 2 Let these, O God, my soul convert, And make thy servant wise; Let those be gladness to my ears-- The dayspring to mine eyes. 3 By these may I be warned betimes; Who knows the guile within? Lord, save me from presumptuous crimes; Cleanse me from secret sin.