To Thine Altar’s Shadow Flying

The Morning Sacrifice

A Communion Hymn For The Circumcision, January 1

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1865)

Music: Not Stated

Source: William Chatterton Dix, ed., Altar Songs - Verses On The Holy Eucharist. Second Edition, Enlarged. (London: John Hodges, 1868), Hymn #3, pp. 4-5.

1. To Thine Altar’s shadow flying,
    I have peace, 0 Lord, in Thee :
In the Sacrifice relying,
    Wrought upon Mount Calvary :
In Thy Childhood, Cross, and Dying,
    Session by the crystal sea.

2. Thou art priestly robe assuming,
    Child, for morning sacrifice,
Since the cruel knife is dooming
    Flesh to bleed in legal wise :
Cross and Passion, Death, Entombing,
    All are set before Thine eyes.

3. Ancient sacrifices ended,
    One alone the faithful plead,
Since the Master condescended
    To ordain for mortals’ need
This, which elder rites transcended,
    This, by which all else we read.

4. In the Feast of our Salvation,
    In the New Law’s Banquet blest
Evermore the One Oblation
    Is by faithful hearts confest:
And the Passion’s fresh relation,
    Makes redemption manifest.

5. There the chalice brightly gleaming
    Thou dost give Thy chosen Bride;
There the healing Flood is streaming,
    As from Hands and Feet and Side:
Blood which Thou didst shed, redeeming,
    Priceless, all-sufficient Tide.

6. Earnest of the great outpouring
    Of that Blood which sin should stay,
Ye, I greet, sweet drops, restoring
    Souls which moulder in decay:
By Thy Blood, I cry, adoring,
    Jesu, take my sins away.

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