A Hymn for the feast of St. Matthias

Disciples gathered all in prayer
Desired the Lord to answer there
To choose by lot a man to send
Begun with grace, with what to end?
To take up the old man’s office?

The old man, betrayer of the Lord
That Saul who fell upon his sword
May all his camp be desolate,
And let there be no one to dwell in it-
Another will take his office.

Now dead the old, behold the new.
But which to choose between the two?
The son of Sabbaths? Granted of God?
Just one with whom the Saviour trod
was fit to be His Apostle.

Begun by grace, by grace will end.
Matthias was counted the Saviour’s friend.
No heavy burden on them was laid-
The price for every man was paid!
With joy they worshiped together!

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