Sabbath Evening

Quiet is the hour of ev­en

Ere the Sab­bath from us part:

E’en as tho’ the ear of Heav­en

Listened at earth’s beat­ing heart.

Gently round the night is fall­ing

O’er the si­lent world abroad;

Liquid bells are sweet­ly call­ing

Footsteps to the house of God.

And God’s an­gel still doth lin­ger

Ere he takes from earth his flight:

Pointing with his lift­ed fin­ger

Up the star­ry path of light.

One by one they si­lent ga­ther

Round the sprin­kled mer­cy seat;

One by one they seek the Fa­ther

Humbly cast at Je­sus’ feet.

On the knee of deep con­tri­tion

Bends each soul in ear­nest pray­er;

On the wings of strong pe­ti­tion

Wafts to God its ev­ery care.

Listen to the bell’s sweet call­ing!

Thus the holy Sab­bath crown!

And as dews are gent­ly fall­ing

Shall the peace of God come down.