With lifted arm, and thund'ring cry, "Who shall our God defy?" Thou stood'st; then the dark rebel rout And He who gave the victory, O fairest in that winged band, "Tis thine to set the spirit free In death's last agony, Coming in calm unearthly light, To walk through death's dim night, And bear her from her chains away, To mansions of the day. Glory to the Eternal Three, To Him who did our being give, Whose breath Divine doth us restore, And cherish evermore. Amen. AT THE MATTINS. Blessed art Thou upon the throne of Thy kingdom, and to be praised and glorified above all for ever. Blessed art Thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims.-DAN. iii. "Mille quem stipant solio sedentem." O THOU, around whose everlasting throne Those happy seats, wherein Thy kingdom lies, Thou sendest friendly guides to lead us there. May the repeller of unearthly harms, To shield us from the foe, and keep us Thine! May Gabriel his sweet aid around us plant, L May Raphael's gentle art and healing hand, From Thee, sole Fountain of all good below, GUARDIAN ANGELS. AT THE VESPERS. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation ?-HEB. i. "Custodes hominum psallimus Angelos." AND are there then celestial habitants, Yes, Heav'n's undying outcast, in dark hate And these blest guardians at high Heav'n's command Dwell round about our homes, with unseen wand Watchful to ward his wiles, and hold our hand. All praise to God the Father of the Word, AT THE MATTINS. I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father, which is in Heaven.-MATT. xviii. "Regnator orbis summus et arbiter." WHERE the angelic hosts adore Thee, Keep us, else with wiles deceiving Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Succour and sustain the lost. |