Above:  The World, 1945

Image Source = Post World War II Atlas Supplement to Hammond’s New Era Atlas of the World (1945)

Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = New Worship and Song (1942), Congregational Christian Churches (U.S.A.)

Words by Oscar Edward Maurer (1878-1950) and Marion Elizabeth Spencer Maurer

Oscar Edward Maurer (1878-1950), ordained a Congregationalist minister in 1906, married Marion Elizabeth Spencer the previous year.  Oscar was active in foreign missions and served as the Moderator of the Congregational Christian Churches.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Son of God, the Prince of Peace,

Seeks all the world to gain

For brotherhood and common good;

Who follows in his train?

Who first can curb his own desire,

And selfish pride restrain;

Who quenches hate’s unholy fire,

He follows in his train.

+++++

All fearless souls who love their land,

But claim no better birth

Than that which makes humanity

Akin through all the earth;

Who will not seek by pow’r nor might

Another’s land to chain;

Who lose themselves to win the right:

These follow in his train.

+++++

Make firm our courage, Prince of Peace,

Unite our will as one,

That we from striving may not cease

Until thy peace by won.

Give us thy strength to bear thy cross,

Be true, in spite of pain;

O Christ, to us may grace be given

To follow in thy train!

Above:  Sunlight

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = New Worship and Song (1942), Congregational Christian Churches (U.S.A.)

Text (1930), the Harry Thomas Stock (1891-1958). for a vesper service at a summer youth conference; published in The Congregationalist in the issue of February 12, 1931

Stock was a U.S. Congregationalist then (after the merger) Congregational Christian minister active in the institutional life of both denominations.  He also taught church history at Chicago Theological Seminary (1917-1922) and was deeply involved in the Christian education of young people.  Stock also received D.D. degrees from Piedmont College (1931), Knox College (1939), and Chicago Theological Seminary (1940).  From 1938 to 1958 Stock served as the General Secretary of the Division of Christian Education of the Board of Home Missions of the Congregational Christian Churches.

 This was the only hymn he wrote.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

O gracious God, whose constant care

Supplies our golden days,

Whose joyous fellowship we share

At work, at rest, in play and prayer–

Accept our heart-felt praise.

+++++

We thank thee, Father, for each word,

Each thought, revealing truth;

For prophet voices gladly heard,

For daring dreams, for friends who stirred

The fragile wills of youth.

+++++

Companion of our vesper hour,

Renew in us each day

Our lofty purpose, grant us power

That worthy thoughts in deeds may flower,

In Christlike lives, we pray.

+++++

Surround us through temptation’s maze

When artful foes assail;

Help us a peaceful path to blaze,

To lead mankind in nobler ways,

Give strength–we would not fail!

Above:  Marianne Hearn

Image Source = Hymntime.com

Marianne Hearn (1834-1909), who wrote under the nom de plume Marianne Farmington, was a poet and an English Baptist.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Father Most Merciful!

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/father-most-merciful/

Just As I Am, Thine Own To Be:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/just-as-i-am-thine-own-to-be/

We Hope in Thee, O God:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2017/05/08/we-hope-in-thee-o-god/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Above: Suffused Light at Dawn

Image in the Public Domain

Text (1878) by Marianne Hearn (1834-1909)

Hymn Source = Worship and Song (1921), National Council of Congregational Churches

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Father most merciful!  Glad in the dawning

All things awake to sing praises to thee;

Thou art the giver of joy in the morning,

Spreading thy sunlight o’er meadow and sea.

+++++

Bright birds soar up in the thin air to greet thee,

Sweet-scented blossoms look forth for thy face;

Thy children go out into daylight to meet thee,

Finding thy footprints in every new place.

+++++

Father most merciful, give for our guerdon

Joy in thy presence whate’er may befall,

Courage to fight, or to carry the burden,

Faith to be cheerful and quiet through all.

Above:  Evening Sun

Image in the Public Domain

Text by Marianne Hearn (1834-1909)

Hymn Source = The Methodist Hymnal (1905), Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church, South

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We hope in thee, O God!

The day wears on to night;

Thick shadows lie across our world,

In thee alone is night.

+++++

We hope in thee, O God!

The fading time is here,

But thou abidest strong and true

Though all things disappear.

+++++

We hope in thee, O God!

Our joys go one by one,

But lonely hearts can rest in thee,

When all beside is gone.

+++++

We hope in thee, O God!

Hope fails us otherwise;

But since thou art in all that is,

Peace takes the hand of care.

+++++

We hope in thee, O God!

In whom none hope in vain;

We cling to thee in love and trust,

And joy succeeds to pay.

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1887) by Marianne Hearn (1834-1909)

Hymn Source = New Worship and Song (1942), Congregational Christian Churches (U.S.A.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Just as I am, thine own to be,

Friend of the young, who lovest me,

To consecrate myself to thee,

O Jesus Christ, I come.

+++++

In the glad morning of my day,

My life to give, my vows to pay,

With no reserve and no delay,

With all my heart, I come.

+++++

I would live ever in the light,

I would work ever for the right,

I would serve thee with all my might;

Therefore, to thee, I come.

+++++

Just as I am, strong and free,

To be the best that I can be

For truth, and righteousness, and thee,

Lord of my life, I come.

Above:  Edward Henry Bickersteth

Image in the Public Domain

Edward Henry Bickersteth (1825-1905) was the Anglican Bishop of Exeter from 1885 to 1900.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Not Worthy, Lord:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/not-worthy-lord-by-edward-henry-bickersteth/

Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/saviour-breathe-an-evening-blessing/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++