25 Wednesday Evening
LABENTE JAM SOLIS ROTÂ
By Charles Coffin. (See p. 3.) Chandler’s translation, beginning, “And now the sun’s declining rays,” is for “Ninth Hour, or three in the afternoon,” of Sunday. In “Hymns Ancient and Modern” Chandler’s rendering is given as an evening hymn, and with considerable alterations, the first line being, “As now the sun’s declining rays” (No. 12).
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Now sinks the glowing orb of day, And silent night comes on apace; So gains our life the appointed goal, That marks the limit of our race. | O Christ, uplifted on the Cross! Thine arms were stretched towards the sky; Grant us with love that Cross to seek, And folded in those arms to die. | Now to the Father throned on high, And unto Christ His only Son, And to the Spirit, glory be, Now, and while endless ages run. | |