Above:  Christ the Merciful, Twelfth Century C.E.

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1911), Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Original Latin text by St. Gregory the Great (circa 540-604), Bishop of Rome

English Translation (1858) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  O Christ, our King, Creator, Lord,

Saviour of all who trust Thy word,

To them who seek Thee ever near,

Now to our praises bend Thine ear.

2.  In Thy dear cross a grace is found–

It flows from every streaming wound–

Whose power our inbred sin controls,

Breaks the firm bond, and frees our souls.

3.  Thou didst create the stars of night;

Yet Thou has veiled in flesh Thy light,

Hast deigned a mortal form to wear,

A mortal’s painful lot to bear.

4.  When Thou didst hang upon the tree,

The quaking earth acknowledged Thee;

When Thou didst there yield up Thy breath,

Then world grew dark as shades of death.

5.  Now in the Father’s glory high,

Great Conqueror, never more to die,

Us by Thy mighty power defend,

And reign through ages without end.

Above:  Christ Pantocrator

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1911), Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Words (1858) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  Lord, my weak thought in vain would climb

To search the starry vault profound;

In vain would wing her flight sublime

To find creation’s utmost bound.

2.  But weaker yet that thought must prove

To search Thy great eternal plan,

Thy sovereign counsels, born of love

Long ages ere the world began.

3.  When my dim reason would demand

Why that, or this, Thou dost ordain,

By some vast deep I seem to stand,

Whose secrets I must ask in vain.

4.  When doubts disturb my troubled breast,

And all is dark as night to me,

Here, as on solid rock, I rest,–

That so it seemeth good to Thee.

5.  Be this my joy, that evermore

Thou rulest all things at Thy will;

Thy sovereign wisdom I adore,

And calmly, sweetly, trust Thee still.

Above:  One of My Crucifixes, July 15, 2014

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = The Presbyterian Hymnal (1874), Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Words (1863) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  Jesus, Lamb of God! for me,

Thou, the Lord of life, didst die;

Whither–whither, but to thee,

Can a trembling sinner fly?

Death’s dark waters o’er me roll,

Save, oh, save my sinking soul.

2.  Never bowed a martyred head

Weighed with equal sorrow down;

Never blood so rich was shed,

Never king wore such a crown;

To thy cross and sacrifice

Faith now lifts her tearful eyes.

3.  All my soul, by love subdued,

Melts in deep contrition there;

By thy mighty grace renewed,

New-born hope forbids despair;

Lord! thou canst my guilt forgive,

Thou hast bid me look and live.

4.  While with broken heart I kneel,

Sinks the inward storm to rest;

Life, immortal life, I feel

Kindled in my throbbing breast;

Thine, for ever thine, I am;

Glory to the bleeding Lamb!

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 6, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1911), Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Original Latin text (circa 1600s) by Anonymous

English Translation (1858) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

The John Athelstan Laurie Riley translation is here.

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1.  O bread to pilgrims given,

O Food that angels eat,

O Manna sent from heaven,

For heaven-born natures meet,

Give us, for Thee long pining,

To eat till richly filled;

Till earth’s delights resigning,

Our every wish is stilled.

2.  O Fount of love redeeming,

Forth from the Saviour’s heart

In mercy purely streaming,

A Fount of life Thou art:

O let us, freely tasting,

Our burning thirst assuage;

Thy sweetness, never wasting,

Avails from age to age.

3.  Jesus, this feast receiving,

We Thee unseen adore;

Thy faithful word believing,

We take, and doubt no more:

Give us, Thou True and Loving,

On earth to live in Thee;

Then, death the veil removing,

Thy glorious face to see.

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 6, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = Pilgrim Hymnal (1912), U.S. Congregationalist

Words (1834) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  We stand in deep repentance,

Before thy throne of love;

O God of grace, forgive us,

The stain of guilt remove;

Behold us while with weeping

We lift our eyes to thee;

And all our sins subduing,

Our Father, set us free.

2.  O shouldst thou, from us fallen,

Withhold thy grace to guide,

Forever we should wander

From thee and peace, aside;

But thou to spirits contrite

Dost light and life impart,

That man may learn to serve thee

With thankful, joyous heart.

3.  Our souls,–on thee we cast them,

Our only refuge thou!

Thy cheering words revive us,

When pressed with grief we bow;

Thou bearest the trusting spirit

Upon thy loving breast,

And givest all thy ransomed

A sweet, unending rest.

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 6, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = Pilgrim Hymnal (1912), U.S. Congregationalist

Words (1864) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  Take me, o my Father, take me;

Take me, save me, through thy Son;

That which thou wouldst have me, make me,

Let thy will in me be done.

2.  Long from thee my footsteps straying,

Thorny proved the way I trod;

Weary come I now, and praying,

Take me to thy love, my God.

3.  Fruitless years with grief recalling

Humbly I confess my sin;

At thy feet, O Father, falling,

To thy household take me in.

4.  Freely now to thee I proffer

This relenting heart of mine;

Freely life and soul I offer,

Gift unworthy love like thine.

5.  Father, take me; all forgiving,

Fold me to thy loving breast;

In thy love forever living

I must be forever blest.

Above:  Missionary’s House, the Congo, Africa

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-ggbain-00538

Words (1865) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

Hymn Source = The Pilgrim Hymnal (1904), U.S. Congregationalist

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1.  Eternal Father, thou hast said,

That Christ all glory shall obtain,

That he who once a sufferer bled,

Shall o’er the world a conqueror reign.

We wait thy triumph, Saviour, King;

Long ages have prepared thy way;

Now all abroad thy banner fling,

Set time’s great battle in array.

2.  Thy hosts are mustered to the field–

“The Cross! the Cross!” the battle-call–

The old grim towers of darkness yield,

And soon shall totter to their fall.

On mountain tops the watch-fires glow,

Where scattered wide the watchmen stand;

Voice echoes voice, and onward flow

The joyous shouts, from land to land.

3.  O, fill thy church with faith and power,

Bid her long night of weeping cease,

To groaning nations haste the hour

Of life and freedom, light and peace!

Come, Spirit, make thy wonders known,

Fulfill the Father’s high decree;

Then earth, the might of hell o’er thrown,

Shall keep her last great jubilee.

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 6, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Words (1864) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

Hymn Source = The Pilgrim Hymnal (1904), U.S. Congregationalist

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1.  Come, Jesus, Redeemer, abide with me;

Come, gladden my spirit that waiteth for thee;

Thy smile every shadow shall chase from my heart,

And soothe every sorrow, tho’ keen be the smart.

2.  Without thee but weakness, with thee I am strong;

By day thou shalt lead me, by night be my song;

Tho’ dangers surround me, I still every fear,

Since thou, the most mighty, my Helper, art near.

3.  Thy love, O how faithful! so tender, so pure!

Thy promise, faith’s anchor, how steadfast and sure!

That love, like sweet sunshine, my cold heart can warm;

That promise make steady my soul in the storm.

4.  Breathe, breathe on my spirit, oft ruffed, thy peace;

From restless, vain wishes, bid thou my heart cease:

In thee all its longings henceforward shall end,

Till, glad, to thy presence my soul shall ascend.

Above:  Easter Vigil, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody, Georgia, April 20, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = American Hymns Old and New (1980)

Original Latin text by St. Gregory I “the Great” (circa 540-604), Bishop of Rome

English Translation (1869) by Ray Palmer (1808-1887), U.S. Congregationalist minister

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1.  Behold, the shade of night is now receding,

Kindling with splendors fair the dawn is glowing,

With fervent hearts, O let us all implore him,

Ruler Almighty.

2.  That he, our God, will look on us in pity,

Send strength for weakness, grand us his salvation,

And with a Father’s pure affection give us

Glory eternal.

3.  This grace O grant us, Godhead ever blessed,

Of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in union,

Whose praises be through earth’s distant regions

Ever resounding.

Above:  Central Congregational Church, Bath, Maine, 1971

Photographer = S. E. Cobbs

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = HABS ME,12-BATH,8–1

Ray Palmer (1808-1887) served as pastor of Central Congregational Church from 1835 to 1850.

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O Christ, Our King, Creator, Lord:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/o-christ-our-king-creator-lord/

Lord, My Weak Thought in Vain Would Climb:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/lord-my-weak-thought-in-vain-would-climb/

Jesus, Lamb of God!

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/jesus-lamb-of-god/

O Bread to Pilgrims Given:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/o-bread-to-pilgrims-given/

We Stand in Deep Repentance:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/we-stand-in-deep-repentance/

Take Me, O My Father, Take Me:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/take-me-o-my-father-take-me/

Eternal Father, Thou Hast Said:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/eternal-father-thou-hast-said/

Come, Jesus, Redeemer, Abide with Me:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/come-jesus-redeemer-abide-with-me/

Behold, the Shade of Night is Now Receding:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/behold-the-shade-of-night-is-now-receding/

With Thine Own Pity, Savior:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/with-thine-own-pity-savior/

Come, Holy Ghost, in Love:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/come-holy-ghost-in-love/

Thou, Who Roll’st the Year Around:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/thou-who-rollst-the-year-around/

Come, Jesus, from the Sapphire Throne:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/come-jesus-from-the-sapphire-throne/

Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/jesus-thou-joy-of-loving-hearts/

Jesus, These Eyes Have Never Seen:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/jesus-these-eyes-have-never-seen/

My Faith Looks Up to Thee:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/my-faith-looks-up-to-thee-by-ray-palmer/

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