Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/476

 464 THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED

him to say all the verses of the Evening Hymn which he failed to remember, but which were repeated to him at his desire.

Mr. Stead describes it as a hymn, the music of which has become the common slumber-song of the English-speaking race. Archdeacon Sinclair often repeats it to himself before going to rest. Its majesty, simplicity, and ring of truth are unequalled. To live in the spirit of this hymn would be the ideal of Christian life. Ken certainly has the reward he hoped for in the Address to the Reader which he prefixed to his Poems

Twill heighten ev n the joys of heaven to know That in my verse the saints hymn God below.

The omitted verses, according to the 1709 text, are THE EVENING HYMN.

6. Dull sleep of sense me to deprive, I am but half my time alive ;

Thy faithful lovers, Lord, are griev d To lye so long of Thee bereav d.

7. But though sleep o er my frailty reigns, Let it not hold me long in chains ; And now and then let loose my heart, Till it an Hallelujah dart.

8. The faster sleep the senses binds, The more unfetter d are our minds O may my soul from matter free, Thy loveliness unclouded see !

9. O when shall I in endless day, For ever chase dark sleep away, And hymns with the Supernal choir, Incessant sing, and never tyre?

10. O may my guardian, while I sleep, Close to my bed his vigils keep, His love angelical instil,

Stop all the avenues of ill.

11. May he celestial joys rehearse,

And thought to thought with me converse, Or in my stead all the night long, Sing to my God a grateful song.

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