Hark! a Herald Voice is Calling

On Jordan’s Bank
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings from the King of kings!
Hark! a herald voice is calling: ‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say;
‘Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!’
from The English Hymnal,

Then cleansed be ev ’ry soul from sin; Make straight the way for God with in;
Prepare we in our hearts a home, Where such a mighty Guest may come.
Vox clara ecce intonat, 6th Century William Henry Monk
Startled at the solemn warning, Let the earth bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling, Shines upon the morning skies.

For Thou art our salvation, Lord, Our Refuge and our great reward.
With out Thy grace our souls must fade And wither like a flow’r decayed.
Lo! the Lamb, so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heav’n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all to be forgiv’n;

Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore, And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine, And fill the world with love divine.
So when next He comes with glory, Wrapping all the earth in fear,
May He then as our defender On the clouds of heav’nappear.

All praise, eternal Son, to Thee, Whose advent doth Thy people free,
Whom with the Father, we adore, And Holy Ghost, for evermore.
Honor, glory, virtue, merit, To the Father and the Son,
With the co eternal Spirit, While unending ages run.