Afternoon

Verse 1

As now the sun’s declining rays
Towards the eve descend,
E’en so our years are sinking down
To their appointed end.

Verse 2

Lord, on the cross Thine arms were stretched
To draw us to the sky;
O grant us then that cross to love,
And in those arms to die.

Verse 3

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Holy Ghost,
All glory be from saints on earth,
And from the angel host.

Verse 1

I love to steal awhile away
From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of setting day
In humble, grateful prayer.

Verse 2

I love in solitude to shed
The penitential tear,
And all His promises to plead
Where none but God can hear.

Verse 3

I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore,
And all my cares and sorrows cast
On Him whom I adore.

Verse 4

I love by faith to take a view
Of brighter scenes in heaven;
The prospect doth my strength renew
While here by tempests driven.

Verse 5

Thus, when life’s toilsome day is o’er,
May its departing ray
Be calm as this impressive hour,
And lead to endless day.

Verse 1

The radiant morn hath passed away,
And spent too soon her golden store;
The shadows of departing day
Creep on once more.

Verse 2

Our life is but a fading dawn;
Its glorious noon how quickly past:
Lead us, O Christ, when all is gone,
Safe home at last.

Verse 3

O by Thy soul-inspiring grace
Uplift our hearts to realms on high;
Help us to look to that bright place
Beyond the sky,

Verse 4

Where light, and life, and joy, and peace,
In undivided empire reign,
And thronging angels never cease
Their deathless strain;

Verse 5

Where saints are clothed in spotless white,
And evening shadows never fall,
Where Thou, Eternal Light of Light,
Art Lord of all.

Verse 1

The sun is sinking fast,
The daylight dies;
Let love awake, and pay
Her evening sacrifice.

Verse 2

As Christ, upon the cross
In death reclined,
Into His Father’s hands
His parting soul resigned;

Verse 3

So now herself my soul
Would wholly give
Into His sacred charge,
In whom all spirits live;

Verse 4

So now beneath His eye
Would calmly rest,
Without a wish or thought
Abiding in the breast,

Verse 5

Save that His will be done,
Whate’er betide;
Dead to herself, and dead
In Him to all beside.

Verse 6

Thus would I live; yet now
Not I, but He
In all His power and love
Henceforth alive in me,

Verse 7

One sacred Trinity,
One Lord Divine;
Myself for ever His,
And He for ever mine!