Christian Worship As The Evening Shadows Gather
As the evening shadows gather
O’er us, from thy holy hill
May thy blessing, righteous Father,
Like the evening dew distil;
And thy presence
Every heart with rapture fill!
While in summer’s warmth and beauty,
We our brother set apart
To the pastor’s solemn duty,
May thy spirit warm his heart;
Without measure,
Wisdom, strength and love impart.
To perform the sacred function
As thy servant we ordain,
Father, may the holy unction
Fall on him, like summer rain!
Make him fertile,
Bearing fruit like golden grain.
In the path of duty guide him,
Firm in virtue may he stand;
And from storm and peril, hide him
In the hollow of thy hand;
Keep his footsteps
Till he tread the better land.
When at last his toils are over,
Summer ended, autumn near,
May he and his flock, like clover
Ripened for the scythe, appear;
And when falling,
Guardian angels linger near.