St. Barnabas the Apostle

O! what records of Thy love
Live in the sacred page,
Thy wondrous love on Thy dear Church
Bestow'd from age to age.

Never, since first she saw Thy face,
Did she for guidance plead,
But Thou wert near at hand to hear,
And help her in her need.

Just what she wanted, Thou didst lend,
Of gifts, from day to day,
And ' Sons of Consolation' send
To cheer her on her way —

Large hearts, which loved with such a love,
So fresh, so full, so free,
That nothing they could call their own
Would be denied to Thee.

Their lives, their loves, their all, they deem'd
Off'rings both due and meet!
Their lands they sold, and brought the gold,
And laid it at Thy feet.

If Judas here, or Demas there,
Shadowed her light with shame;
And left the stain of love of gain
Upon the Christian's name:

If Ananias and his wife
'Kept back' e the price," and lied;
Saint Barnabas, thro' Thy ‘great grace,'
More than their lack supplied.

In nature and in name alike
True to Thy Church and Thee;
'The Son of Consolation' called,
And rightly named was he.

Nor hast Thou left Thyself, O Lord,
Without Thy witness here;
Strong hands, and gentle hearts to toil
Onward from year to year.

Men who are willing, both to spend,
And to be spent, to prove
That still Thine Apostolic Church
Feels Evangelic love.

And chief amongst that glorious band,
Thy Mission-Church we hail,
Which from no self denial shrinks,
And at no fear grows pale;

Which lands and homes can leave behind,
Obedient to Thy word;
And, with her staff and scrip go forth,
To do Thy will, O Lord.'

When, harass'd with domestic strife,
Our hearts despond and fear;
And, weary of home's languid life,
Seek what may soothe, and cheer;

The soldiers of the Cross abroad
The palmiest days recall,
Of the united fervent zeal
Of Barnabas and Paul.

Best jewels of her crown are they,
Bright on her brow they glow';
True ' Sons of Consolation' sent
To all Thy Church below.

Then use we this glad Festival
To lift our hearts in praise,
For all the consolations sent
Thy Church in former days:

And, ere we leave Thy holy house,
Low bow we down in prayer,
In Jesu's name, to ask the same
Continuance of Thy care.

Thy ' manifold' and glorious ' gifts'
Lord grant us full and free,
Nor leave us i destitute' of ' grace'
‘To use them' all for Thee.