Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 116

1 On this fair spot where nature pays From hill, and vale, and flower, and tree, In morning beams, in evening rays, Its homage, G.o.d of all, to thee;--

2 Thy children meet to dedicate This temple to thy gracious name; Our hearts and songs to elevate,-- Thy grace and glory to proclaim.

3 Descend--and with thy spirit bless The offering; may it ever be Sacred to truth and righteousness, From error's dread dominion free.

4 Here let the standard of thy word Be raised and held by gospel hands; Hither bring hearts with one accord, To learn and do thy great commands.

5 And when we leave these courts below, To join the hosts in praise above, May others here rejoice to know Thy boundless, everlasting love.

703. C. M. Bryant.

Dedication Hymn.

1 O Thou, whose own vast temple stands, Built over earth and sea, Accept the walls that human hands Have raised to worship thee.

2 Lord, from thine inmost glory send, Within these courts to bide, The peace that dwelleth, without end, Serenely by thy side.

3 May erring minds that worship here Be taught the better way, And they who mourn, and they who fear, Be strengthened as they pray!

4 May faith grow firm, and love grow warm, And pure devotion rise, While round these hallowed walls the storm Of earth-born pa.s.sion dies!

704. L. M. Watts.

A House for G.o.d.

1 Where shall we go to seek and find A habitation for our G.o.d?

A dwelling for th' Eternal Mind Among the sons of flesh and blood?

2 The G.o.d of Jacob chose the hill Of Zion for his ancient rest; And Zion is his dwelling still; His church is with his presence blest.

3 Here will he meet the hungry poor, And fill their souls with living bread; Here sinners, waiting at his door, With sweet provision shall be fed.

4 "Here will I fix my gracious throne, And reign forever," saith the Lord; "Here shall my power and love be known, And blessings shall attend my word."

705. H. M. Francis.

Prayer for G.o.d's Presence and Blessing.

1 Great King of glory, come, And with thy favor crown This temple as thy home, This people as thine own: Beneath this roof, O deign to show How G.o.d can dwell with men below.

2 Here may thine ears attend Our interceding cries, And grateful praise ascend, Like incense to the skies: Here may thy word melodious sound, And spread celestial joys around.

3 Here may our unborn sons And daughters sound thy praise, And shine, like polished stones, Through long-succeeding days: Here, Lord, display thy saving power, While temples stand and men adore.

4 Here may the listening throng Imbibe thy truth and love; Here Christians join the song Of seraphim above; Till all, who humbly seek thy face, Rejoice in thy abounding grace.

706. L. M. E. H. Chapin.

The Same.

1 Our Father G.o.d! not face to face May mortal sense commune with thee, Nor lift the curtains of that place Where dwells thy secret Majesty.

Yet whereso'er our spirits bend In rev'rent faith and humble prayer, Thy promised blessing will descend, And we shall find thy spirit there.

2 Lord! be the spot where now we meet, An open gateway into heaven; Here may we sit at Jesus' feet, And feel our deepest sins forgiven.

Here may desponding care look up; And sorrow lay its burden down, Or learn, of him, to drink the cup, To bear the cross, and win the crown.

3 Here may the sick and wandering soul, To truth still blind, to sin a slave, Find better than Bethesda's pool, Or than Siloam's healing wave.

And may we learn, while here apart From the world's pa.s.sion and its strife That thy true shrine's a loving heart, And thy best praise a holy life!

707. L. M. Pierpont.

Ordination Hymn.

1 O Thou, who art above all height!

Our G.o.d, our Father, and our Friend!

Beneath thy throne of love and light, Let thine adoring children bend.

2 We kneel in praise, that here is set A vine that by thy culture grew; We kneel in prayer, that thou wouldst wet Its opening leaves with heavenly dew.

3 Since thy young servant now hath given Himself, his powers, his hopes, his youth To the great cause of truth and heaven, Be thou his guide, O G.o.d of truth!

4 Here may his doctrines drop like rain, His speech like Hermon's dew distil, Till green fields smile, and golden grain, Ripe for the harvest, waits thy will.

5 And when he sinks in death,--by care, Or pain, or toil, or years oppressed,-- O G.o.d! remember then our prayer, And take his spirit to thy rest.

708. 8s. & 6s. M. S. F. Smith.