Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 163

For the Blessing of Schools.

1 O Thou, at whose dread name we bend, To whom our purest vows we pay, G.o.d over all, in love descend, And bless the labors of this day.

2 Our fathers here, a pilgrim band, Fixed the proud empire of the free; Art moved in gladness o'er the land, And Faith her altars reared to thee.

3 Here, too, to guard, through every age, The sacred rights their valor won, They bade instruction spread her page, And send down truth from sire to son.

4 Here still, through all succeeding time, Their stores may truth and learning bring And still the anthem-note sublime To thee from children's children sing.

988. L. M. J. G. Adams.

Dedication of a School-house.

1 G.o.d of our fathers! from whose hand Came all our lights and blessings down,-- Who this devoted, favored land Dost with thy choicest mercy crown!

2 To Learning and to Knowledge reared-- We dedicate with prayer and praise This edifice, to thee, revered Above all G.o.ds, through endless days!

3 Accept the offering--deign to dwell With thy confiding children here; The shades of Ignorance dispel,-- In Truth's omnipotence appear!

4 Here through successive years may come The youthful mind--fair Wisdom's guest; Long be this house Instruction's home, When those who reared it sink to rest.

989. 6s. & 4s. M. J. G. Adams.

The Same.

1 Raise the adoring song!

Praises to G.o.d belong, In this glad hour!

He who from worlds on high, Spreads over earth and sky Proofs of his majesty, Goodness and power!

2 Praise, that Instruction's voice Bids the young heart rejoice In this fair land; Praise, that the humblest mind Wisdom's true light may find, Ground on which all inclined Freely may stand.

3 Source of all holiness!

With thy rich favor bless This house of thine; Here be true knowledge sought, Here purest wisdom taught, Wisdom with Freedom fraught, Freedom divine!

990. C. M. P. H. Sweetser.

The Same.

1 Let monumental pillars rise In majesty sublime-- Their granite columns shall decay Before the touch of time.

2 But mind, enlightened and refined, Shall live beyond the sky, And heavenly sciences explore, When time itself shall die!

3 A n.o.bler monument we raise Than costly marble pile-- A beacon light to lead the way From ignorance and guile.

4 This house, with prayer, O G.o.d, we give To truth's supreme control; To virtue and progressive thought, The riches of the soul.

991. L. M. Anonymous.

The River of Life.

1 There is a pure and peaceful wave, That issues from the throne of love, Whose waters gladden as they lave The bright and heavenly courts above.

2 In living streams behold that tide Through Christ the rock profusely burst; And in his word, behold supplied The fount for which our spirits thirst.

3 The pilgrim faint, who seems to sink Beneath the sultry sky of time, May here repose, and freely drink The waters of that better clime.

4 And every soul may here partake The blessings of the fount above; And none who drink will e'er forsake The crystal stream of boundless love.

992. 8s. & 7s. M. Anonymous.

The Soldier of the Cross.

1 Soldier, to the contest pressing, Onward, let thy watchword be; G.o.d upon thee pours his blessing; What though man derideth thee!

2 Onward, though the f.a.got's burning By thy pathway's only light; Onward, death and danger spurning; Onward in the path of right!

3 G.o.d, for all thy wants providing, Armor trusty hath for thee; Gird thyself, in him confiding, With the goodly panoply:

4 Righteousness thy breast defending, And thy feet with justice shod: Onward; with the foe contending, Wield thy sword, the word of G.o.d.

5 Thine the helmet of salvation, Faith thy mighty shield shall be; And let prayer and supplication, Lance and glorious falchion be;

6 Onward then, with bold contending, In the path the martyrs trod: G.o.d to thee his strength is lending; Onward, in the strength of G.o.d.

993. C. M. Anonymous.