INTERCESSIONAL.

Goo of the nations ! in whose hand Are held the destinies of our land, By whom we stand or fall ; Who, throned above the battle's blast, Dost guide the issue, first and last,— Jehovah ! hear our call !

We pray to Thee, we turn to Thee, For in Thy chastisement we see The signal of thy love ; Bidding us rise and cast away Luxurious ease, and in the fray Once more our metal prove.

Ke ask Thee for a steadfast mind

To press right on, nor look be- hind, Nor swerve to either side; To face the inevitable days, The flying rumours, long delays, And sting of humbled pride.

And for a generous spirit, strong To put aside the burning wrong Of outraged flag and cross : And give our foes that rarest gift, An equal judgment, pardon swift, Heedless of gain or loss.

We ask Thee for a resolute will To fight and vanquish, guard- ing still

Our fathers' hard-won place ; Sons of the venturous sea kings' brood,

Who bare of old o'er land and flood The banner of our race.

And if it be that we must yield

Thrice to the foe the stubborn field

And adverse fortune meet ; To gather counsel from distress, Through failure to achieve success,

Wrest victory from defeat.

We praise Thee for the fall'n, who gave Their life blood for a soldier's grave,—

A prouder mark we set

Than idle tears, upon their brow Who died, lest England should lie low With broken coronet.

For lo ! the kingdoms wax and wane,

They spring to power, and pass again And ripen to decay ; But England, sound in hand and heart, Is worthy still to play her part To-day as yesterday. Not till her age-long task is o'er To Thee, oh God, may she re- store

The sceptre and the crown. Nor then shall die ; but live anew

In those fair daughter-lands, which drew Their life from hers, and shall renew