But when he shows his hands and heart, Not the beloved John could rest With more delight upon that breast, Nor THOMAS pry into those wounds with more intense desire. Kindly he opens me his ear, And bids me pour my sorrow there, And tell him all my pains. Thus while I ease my burdened heart, In every woe he bears a part, His arms embrace me, and his hand my drooping head sustains. WATTS. SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY. DECEMBER 27. COLLECT. Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy church, that it, being enlightened by the doctrine of thy blessed apostle and evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. HYMN. Among the planets heavenly bright, A holier radiance, JOHN, than thine. Apostle thou of Christ the Lord; Yet by another name we deem Thy claim to high renown approved, P Be ours to mark His portrait fair To note thy life; to see thee fling And view unblamed the throne of God. And may our faith, blest Saint, like thine BP. MANT. ANOTHER. Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John xxi. 21, 22. "Lord, and what shall this man do?” Christ hath told thee of his end. This is he whom Jesus loves. Ask not of him more than this; ́ He in youth shall find his rest, Whether in his lonely course, Who doth hearts as streams command.* Gales from heaven, if so He will, Sweeter melodies can wake On the lonely mountain rill, Than the meeting waters make. Sick or healthful, slave or free, Wealthy, or despised and poor What is that to him or thee, So his love to Christ endure? *The king's heart is in the hand of the water; he turneth it whithersoever he will. Lord as the rivers of |