John Pierpont

Airs of Palestine, and Other Poems John Pierpont

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840. Excerpt: ... I. HYMNS FOB THE LORD'S SUPPER AND CHRISTMAS. HYMNS FOR COMMUNION. I. "break ye the bread, and pour the wine, As ye have seen your Master do; This body and this blood of mine Is broken thus and shed for you." Yes, mighty God! while life remains, We will remember him who bled; Whom Death, in his cold, palsying chains, A captive and a victim led. We will remember him, by whom Those strong and icy chains were riven; Who scattered round his opening tomb Their broken links,--and rose to heaven. And, while with gratitude we dwell On all his tears of love and woe, Let death's chill tide before us swell! Let its still waters darkly flow! We '11 give our bodies to the stream; 'T will bear us--(for the dead shall rise, Or faith is vain, and hope a dream,)--To happier shores and brighter skies. II. "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives."--Matth. xxvi. 30. The winds are hushed;--the peaceful moon Looks down on Zion's hill; The city sleeps; 't is night's calm noon; And all the streets are still. Save when, along the shaded walks, We hear the watchman's call, Or the guard's footstep, as he stalks In moonlight on the wall. How soft, how holy, is this light! And hark! a mournful song, As gentle as these dews of night, Floats on the air along. Affection's wish, devotion's prayer, Are in that holy strain; 'T is resignation,--not despair; 'T is triumph,--though't is pain. 'T is Jesus and his faithful few, That pour that hymn of love; O God! may we the song renew Around thy board above. III. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."--Malth. xxvi. 39. "if it may be, O let this cup, Pass by me,"--prayed the Son; "But, if I 'm doomed to drink it up, Father! thy will be done." He d...