Friday Evening

CHRISTE, LUMEN PERPETUUM

By Magnus Felix Ennodius, born at Arles about 473; became Bishop of Pavia about 514; died, 521; buried on 17th July of that year, which day is observed as his festival by the Roman Church.

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Christ, the light that shines eternal,--
Light that gilds the rolling spheres,
Dawn upon our night, and keep us
Pure as light when day appears.
Let no gin of Satan snare us,
Let no enemy oppress;
Wakeful aye with garments spotless,
May we walk life's wilderness.
Keep our hearts in Thy safe keeping,
Be Thy flock Thy special care;
In Thy fold in mercy tend them,
Guard their footsteps everywhere.
And our souls shall sing triumphant
When Thy light our eyes shall see,
And the vows we owe are rendered,
God, the great Triune, to Thee.
NOX ATRA RERUM CONTEGIT

This hymn is classed by Duffield under the heading "Ambrosian," which includes compositions of Gregory and other authors. Mone gives it as probably by St. Gregory.

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Dark night has drawn her curtain round,
And hid earth's hues in gloom profound;
Now contrite at Thy feet we fall,
And make request, Thou Judge of all,
That Thou wouldst hide the guilt of sin,
And throughly purge our hearts within--
O Christ, dispense Thy grace, we pray,
To keep us guiltless day by day.
The awakened conscience, sore oppressed
By thought of sin all unconfessed,
Yearns in the gloom, to cast her load
At Thy blest feet, Redeemer, God.
Dispel the darkness, Lord, we pray,
That in our mind holds dismal sway;
Send forth Thy light, and bid us rest
In Thy calm peace, for ever blest.