Mr. Bliss’ Hymns
The following, of Mr. Bliss’ compositions, were published in “The Prize,” a collection of Sunday School hymns, etc., by George F. Boot, issued in 1870, and the words are used by permission of the publishers, Messrs. John Ohurch & Go., Gincinnati, Ohio:
PRESS FORWARD.
Prees forward, press forward, press forward to the prise.
While life’s bright mom, with rosy hue,
Bedecks the flowers that, bathed with dew,
Salate thy waking eyes.
Press forward to the prize.
Forward, forward, press forward to the prize.
Forward, forward, press forward to the priic
Press forward, press forward, press forward to the prize;
When in the morn of life thy heart
From heaven’s high calling would depart,
And doubts and fears arise.
Press forward to the prize.
Press forward, press forward, press forward to the prize,
When mom and noon of life are past,
And evening shadows lengthen fast,
And swift the daylight flies,
Press forward to the prize.
Ptom forward, press forward, press forward to the prize; Though sweet the song we sing below, A richer Prize will heaven bestow.
And there our treasure lies.
Press forward to the prize.
HAIL, HAPPY MORNING.
Hail, happj morning, hail, hol day I
Calling from earthly labors away;
Sweet words of wisdom, glad songs of joy.
Now be our best employ.
Chorxts. — Sing once more the happy, happy song
While the golden moments roll along,
“Come to the temple, come, come away,”
“Hallow the Sabbath day.”
Emblem of heaven, sweet day of rest.
In thy remembrance “may we be blest.
So may our songs and lives ever say,
“Hallow the Sabbath day.”
Rest from our labors, rest from our cares;
Rest in our praises, rest in our prayers *
So the commandment would we obey.
“Hallow the Sabbath day.”
PETER’S DENIAL.
In the garden, boldly,
Peter would have fought:
Now he answers coldly,
“Nay, I know Him not.”
Chorus. — I would stand forever
Near my Savior’s side
Lest to glory yonder
I should be denied.
LOBDy SATE KB. 99
Though life’s stony pathway
Be with dangers fraught.
Let my falt’rings never
Say, “I know Him not.”
Though long years of sorrow
Be my earthly lot.
Let my murm’rings never
Say, “I know Him not.”
In the dark temptation.
Vows and prayers forgot,
Let my yielding never
Say, ‘* 1 know Him not”
So, in toil or pleasure.
Deed or word or thought,
Let me never, never
Say, ‘* I know Him not.”
LORD, SAVE MB.
Winds are boisterous, waves are high.
Midnight gloom overspreads the sky;
Fearful, sinful, sinking down,
Peter’s prayer I make my own.
GHOIUja. — Mountain waves of sin I see,
In Thy mercy, ‘* Lord, save me,”
Mountain waves of sin I see.
In Thy mercy, “Lord, save ma.”
Lord, Thou bidst me come to Thee,
Thou alone my help must be;
On the treach’rous waves I stand.
Savior, hold me by Thy hand.
Lord, my feeble faith forgive,
Help divine may I receive;
All my guilty fears remove,
* Wherefore can I doubt Thy love.
ONCE MORE WITH MOURNFUL STEP
Once more with mournful step and slow.
Across the murm’ricg brook they go;
Once more beneath the olive’s shade.
The garden’s well known paths they tread;
A Savior’s sorrows we maj mourn,
For surelj He our griefs hath borne.
Each brow is sad, each heart with woe
Is breaking, since He said, “I go”
And see, a warlike band appears.
And fainting hopes are crushed with fears:
Alas, our guilt His sorrow made,
Ott Him was our transgression laid.
Though all forsake the Lord and flee.
Again He answers, “I am He.”
Again the falfring foes arise.
The bitter cup He drinks and dies.
A Savior’s love behold revealed,
And with His stripes we now are healed.
NAUGHT TO CHARGES FALSE.
Naught to charges false replying,
In gentle mood.
Hearing all, but naught denying,
Oar Savior stood.
CHORUB.-~Gentle, lamb-like would I be,
Savior, more and more like Theei
Priestly rage and perjured story.
In vain are brought;
So, the mighty Lord of glory,
Now answers not.
While “Away with Him” they’re crying,
His cross they raise;
On that shameful cross, while ding,
For them He prays.
BETHESDA« 101
THE ASCENSION.
Wait in Jemsalem together,”
Walt, said the risen Lord;
Wait for the promise of the Father
Ye from Me have heard.
Wait for the power of His glory.
Wait for His high commands;
Then shall je spread abroad the story,
In all distant lands.
Thas, while the chosen who believed Him
Gazed on the face of Love,
So, from their sight a cloud received Him.
dp to Heaven above.
And while toward Heav’n they steadfastly gazed.
Behold two men in white apparel
Who said unto them:
Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing?
Why are ye sorrowful? Why do ye weep?
As ye have seen your Savior ascending,
So in His glory shall He appear. He appear ‘*
Acts, 1.9 to 11.
BETHESDA.
Near the healing pool Bethesda, day by day.
Where the gentle breezes through the porches play,
Many weak and weary, halt and withered l&y,
Waiting for the moving of the water.
Chorus. — Weary waiting at Bethesda’s side.
For the moving of the healing tide.
Lord, from Thee be all my strength supplied.
While waiting for the moving of the water
So in helpless misery and sin I lie,
Hearing not the footstep of the angel nigh.
Trembling, hoping, fearing lest at last I die,
Walt ng for the moving of the water.
Jesus knows the mourner’s grief and hears his sighs.
Sees the look of anguish and the streaming eyes,
Kindlj speaks and bids the wearj sufferer “Rise,”
Waiting for the moving of the water.
Loving Savior, all my weakness Thou dost see.
Still Thy tender mercies. Lord, bestow on me.
Speak the word, and let me stand complete in Thee,
Waiting for the moving ol the water.
THERE’S A LIGHT IN THE VALLEY.
Through the valley of the shadow I must go.
Where the cold waters of Jordan roll;
But the promise of my Shepherd will, I know.
Be the rod and the staff to my soul.
Even now, down the valley as I glide,
I can hear my Savior say,” Follow me I”
And with Him I’m not afraid to cross the tide.
There’s a light in the valley for me.
Chohub. — There’s a light in the valley.
There’s a light in the valley for me,
And no evil will I fear while my Shepherd is so near
There’s a light in the valley for me, for me.
Now the rolling of the billows I can hear.
As they beat on the turf-bound shore;
But the beacon light of love, so bright and clear.
Guides my bark, frail and lone, safely o’er.
1 shall find down the valley no alarms.
For my Savior’s blessed smile I can see;
He will bear me in His loving, mighty arms»
There’s a light in the valley for me.
HOSANNAI HOSANNAl
From the Mount of Olives descending.
See the multitude draw nigh;
Low before the Holy One bending.
Hear them all with rapture cry:
Ghobus. — Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hosanna. hosanna. hosanna. in the highest.
Some, their highest honor bestowing.
Spread their garments in the way;
Others leaf 7 branches are strewing;
All, rejoicing, shout and saj:
All around the city are crying,
*’ Who is this? “” What priest or king?
While within the temple replying
Hear the children sweetly sing:
We our truthful worship would give Thee,
Humbly at Thy feet would fall,
In our hearts would gladly receive Thoe,
Jesus, Savior, Lord of all.
SAFE WITH THE MASTER.
Where is now our loved one?
Where, O where?
Not where the living weary.
Not where the dying moan;
Not where the day is dreary.
Not where the night is lone;
Not ii a home of weeping,
Not in a darkened room;
Not in a graveyard sleeping,
Not in a silent tomb,
No, not there; no, not there
Where is now our loved one t
Where, O where?
Safe in a land immortal,
Safe in a country rare.
Safe in a heavenly portal,
Safe in a mansion fair.
Safe with the joys supernal.
Safe with the bless’d to bow.
Safe with the Love Eternal,
Safe with the Master now.
There, yes, there; there, yes, there I
THE BEGGAR BY THE WAYSIDB.
By the wayside, near the city,
Sits a beggar, poor and blind;
Who can pass him without pity?
Who so careless and unkind?
Now his sightless eyes upturning,
Shaded by the leafy palms.
Tears his wrinkled cheeks are burning.
As he faintly asks for alms.
Chobus. — Oh, we love the wondrous story,
How the blind received their sight;
May the Lord of life nd glory
Lead ns into heavenly light.
Lo, the multitude draws near him;
“What means this 1” we hear him cry;
How the answer seems to cheer him.
“It is Jesus passing by.”
Hear him crying “Mercy, mercy,”
Though rebuked by those before,
“Jesus, Son of David, mercy,”
Hear him crying more and more.
Now the blessed Master, standing,
Hears the beggar’s earnest cry.
While in gentle tones commanding,
“Bring the blind Bartimeus nigh.”
“What wilt thou?” He asks, while o’er Him
Falls a halo golden bright;
Low the beggar bends before Him —
“Lord, that I receive my sight.”
Hush 1 the multitude are bending.
Breathless in the fading light,
While, his “saving faith” commending,
Jesus says, “Receive thy sight 1”
Joy I he sees; and, upward gating,
Hails the glorious light of day.
And rejoicing, singing, praising,
“Follows Jesus in the way.”
AND YET THERE IS ROOM. lOft
I MUST ABIDE WITH THEE.
Through the crowded streets of Jericho, see
The Holy Nazarene go,
Hear the shout of praise from the happy ones there
Who His healing virtues know.
Chobub. — Praise ye the Lord, His mercies show.
Ever in His love confide.
More than we ask will He bestow.
Willingly with us abide.
in the friendly shade of a sycamore tree,
The joyful publican see;
Hear the Master’s voice saying,” Zaccheus, oome.
For I must abide with thee.”
Like an earnest little Zaccheus, I
Would fain the Holy One see,
1 would haste with joy at the blessed command,
“For I must abide with Thee.”
AND YET THERE IS ROOM.
“Go forth,” said the Master, “and make no delay;
Invite to the banquet, invite all to-day;
The chosen have tarried, bring hither the blind.
The poor and the needy; leave no one behind.”
Chorus. — Now all things are ready, the Master says, “Come,”
The whole world is bidden, “and yet there is room.”
The whole world is bidden, the whole world is bidden
The whole world is bidden, “and yet there is room.”
Then quickly the servants went out from their Lord,
His message they published with joyful accord.
From highways and hedges they called to the feast,
And welcomed with rapture each wondering guest.
O, wayworn and weary, despise not the call,
Reject not that mercy, ’tis f re© — free to all;
Thy Father is waiting to welcome thee home;
Oh 1 haste to the banquet while “yet there is room.”
REMEMBERED.
Fading away, like the stars of the morning
Losing their light in the glorious san;
So let me steal away, gently and lovingly.
Only remembered by what I have done.
Chobub. — Ever remembered, forever remembered.
Ever remembered while the years are rolling o
Ever remembered, forever remembered.
Only remembered by what 1 have done.
So let my name and my place be forgotten,
Only my life-race be patiently run;
So let me pass away, peacefully, silently.
Only remembered by what I have done.
So, in the harvest, if others may gather
Sheaves from the fields that in spring I have sown;
Who plowed or sowed matters not to the reaper — I’m only remembered by what I have done.
Fading away like the stars of the morning,
So let my name be unhonored, unknown;
Here, or up yonder, I must be remembered — Only remembered by what 1 have done.
FOLLOW ME.
Hear the blessed Savior say.
Follow Me, follow Me,
In he darkness and the day, follow, follow Me.
Follow, though the torrents pour,
Follow, though the lions roar.
Follow, I have gone before;
Follow, follow Me.
Chobus. — Oh, hear Him saying,
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow Me.
Blessed Savior, may we ever follow, follow Thee.
When the tempter’s voice is heard,
Follow Me, follow Me,
Best upon M7 Holy Word, Follow, etc
All thy doubts and fears I know.
All thy weariness and woe;
Forward humbly, boldly go.
Follow, etc.
Never shall thy foes prevail.
Follow Me, follow Me.
Never shall My promise fail. Follow, ete.
Follow Me, let naught allure.
Follow Me, thy rest is sure.
Follow Me, it shall endure.
Follow, etc.
LOOK AND LIVE.
Look to Jesus, weary one.
Look and live, look and live;
Look at what the Lord has done.
Look and live;
See Him lifted on the tree,
Look and live, look and live;
Hear Him say, “Look unto Me,”
Look and live.
Chobub. — Look 1 the Lord is lifted high.
Look to Him, He’s ever nigh,
Look and live, why wiL ye die t
Look and live.
Though unworthy, vile, unclean,
Look and live, look and live;
Look away from self and sin,
Look and live.
Long by Satan’s power enslaved.
Look and live, look and live;
Look to Me, ye shall be saved
hook and live.
1|D6. MEMOIB OF P. P. BUSS.
Though jouVe wander’d far awaj*
Look and live, look and live;
Harden not your heart toj,
Look and live.
‘Tis thy Father calls thee home.
Look and live, look and live;
Whosoever will may come.
Look and live.
ONLY BELIEVE.
EamcBtlj the ruler on the Lord did call,
Tenderly entreating at His feet did fall;
“My little daughter near to death doth lie,
Come, Lord, and heal her, or she soon must die.”
Trouble not the Master; “soon they came and said,
“Trouble not the Master, for thy daughter is dead.”
Sweetest words of comfort then did Jesus gve
“Be not afraid, only believe.”
Chorus. — Call on the Lord, His mercies still endure;
Call on the Lord, His promise still is sure;
Life, life eternal all may now receive.
Be not afraid, only believe.
In the darkened chamber bends the mother low,
O’er her only daughter, with a mother’s woe:
Darkened now forever is her once bright home; *
Tearfully she falters, “Has the Master come?”
“Wherefore are ye weeping?” ’tis the Master’s voice!
“She is only sleeping,” doth the mother’s heart rejoice; Trustingly the father says, “We will not grieve. Be not afraid, only believe.”
Quietly the Master bids the mourners go;
All a parent’s tenderness His actions show;
Ah, what holy rapture, oh, what glad surprise.
At His gentle voice commanding, “Maid, arise.”
Courage, fainting mother, trust a loving Lord;
Courage, fearful brother, rest forever on His wo?a;
Tender youth and age, in Him alone can live;
“Be not afraid, only believe.”
LOOK KOT UPON THE WtNB. 109
WHAT SHALL THE HARVEST BE?
Words snggested by D. Hatdk Llotb. Maelc by P. P. Bust.
Sowing their seed by the dawn-light fair,
Sowing their seed in the noontide glare.
Sowing their seed in the fading light,
Sowing {heir seed in the solemn night,
Oh, what shall the harvest be?
Chorus. — Sown in the darkness or sown in the light,
Sown in our weakness or sown in our might
Gathered in time or eternity.
Sure, ah sure, will the harvest be.
Sowing their seed by the wayside high.
Sowing their seed on the rocks to die.
Sowing their seed where the thorns will spoil
Sowing their seed in the fertile soil.
Oh, what shall the harvest be?
Sowing the seed of a lingering pain.
Sowing the seed of a maddened brain,
Sowing the seed of a tarnished name.
Sowing the seed of eternal shame
Ah, sure will the harvest be!
Sowing their ^eed with an aching heart,
Sowing their seed while the tear-drops start,
Sowing in hope till the reapers come,
Gladly to gather the harvest home.
Oh, what shall the harvest be f
LOOK NOT UPON THE WINE
Thoagh its ruby blush so fair
In the silver cup be cast.
Of the deadly “serpent’s sting” beware, beware,
‘Twill pierce thy soul at last.
Ghobub. — Look not thou upon the wine when it is red;
When it moveth itdelf aright.
All the light and beauty now around it shed
Soon will end in sorrow’s night
‘TiB a “mocker,” laring on,
With its “raging,” fiery breath.
And its burning work is never, never done.
Its flames are flames of death.
Tarry not, resolve to-day
From the blighting curse to flee;
‘Tis the voice of wisdom calls away, away;
Be hold be firm, be free.
THE SPIRIT TREE.
By their fruits ye shall know them,” the Savior’s words we read.
And He looks from His mansions above, And He knows if our hearts have received the precious seed, For the fruit of the Spirit is Love.
Chorus. — Oh, the fruits of the Spirit are pure.
May they all be found in me, in me,
May my heart and my life ever yield the golden fruits
Of the beautiful Spirit Tree.
Though the dark clouds of sorrow surround us as they may.
And the pitfalls of passion annoy;
Still believing, rejoicing, we onward press our way,
For the fruit of the Spirit is Joy.
Though on seas of affliction our little bark be tossed.
Though the high rolling billows increase,
Still with hope for our anchor we never can be lost,
And the fruit of the Spirit is Peace.
Other fruits in their season we never fail to find.
If with eyelids unsealed we can see;
All that’s gentle and tender, long-suffering and kind.
Is the fruit of this beautiful tree.
In the sunPght of heaven the waving branches glow,
Shedding perfume and gladness around;
Naught of 3vil or danger the dwellers ‘neath it know.
For with Goodnais its branches are crowned.
BBAUTIFITL BAIN.. Ill
Sometimes, trembling and doubting, oar home seems far away.
And the leaves of the tree drj and sere; But the sweet fruits of Faith ou the topmost branches sway,
Bringing joys of the better land near.
Bringing hope to the weary and comfort to the sad.
Bearing promise of heavenly birth;
Making joyful the lowlands, the desert places glad,
For “the meek shall inherit the earth.”
Naught impure or. unholy the Spirit Tree can bear;
Evil trees evil fruits only show;
No profane or intemperate the purer life can share.
Or the fruits of the Spirit Tree know.
BEAUTIFUL RAIN.
Hear the music of the rain falling down
On the roof and window pane, falling down.
Murmur not, it seems to say.
For our Father’s love to-day
Orders only in our way
Good to fall,
Like the gentle falling rain
Over mountain, lake and plain.
Will His tender care remain
Over all.
Chobus. — Hear the music of the rain, beautiful rain.
As the pearly drops in showers pattering falL
Hear the sweet subdued refrain.
On the roof and window pane.
Of our Father’s tender love for all.
Hear the music of the rain falling down,
On the roof and window pane, falling down.
What a lesson does it bring.
What a chorus does it sing,
What a message from our King of His love.
And we seem to hear Him say,
Come, ye children, learn My way,
From Mj fold no linger stray. Look abovn.
Hear the music of the rain falling down,
On the roof and window pane, falling down.
So our Father, kind and tme.
Showers of blessings, ever new.
On the good and evil, too, still doth send;
And a cheerful song we raise.
To His honor and His praise.
For the love that crowns oar days to the end.