Chapter 5

1 Come, let us join our souls to God In everlasting bands, And seize the blessings he bestows With eager hearts and hands.

2 Come, let us to his temple haste, And seek his favor there, Before his footstool humbly bow, And offer fervent prayer.

3 Come, let us share, without delay, The blessings of his grace; Nor shall the years of distant life Their mem'ry e'er efface.

4 O, may our children ever haste To seek their fathers' God, Nor e'er forsake the happy path Their fathers' feet have trod.

53. C. M. Milton.

"The Lord God is a Sun and Shield." Ps. 84.

1 How lovely are thy dwellings fair, O Lord of hosts, how dear The pleasant tabernacles are Where thou dost dwell so near!

2 Happy, who in thy house reside, Where thee they ever praise, Happy, whose strength in thee doth bide, And in their hearts thy ways.

3 They pass through sorrow's thirsty vale, That dry and barren ground, As through a fruitful, wat'ry dale, Where springs and showers abound.

4 They journey on from strength to strength, With joy and gladsome cheer, Till all before our God at length In Zion do appear.

5 For God the Lord, both sun and shield, Gives grace and glory bright; No good from them shall be withheld Whose ways are just and right.

54. L. M. Salisbury Co.

House of God.

1 Lo, God is here! Let us adore, And humbly bow before his face; Let all within us feel his power; Let all within us seek his grace.

2 Lo, God is here! Him, day and night United choirs of angels sing: To him, enthroned above all height, Heaven's host their noblest homage bring.

3 Being of beings! may thy praise Thy courts with grateful fragrance fill: Still may we stand before thy face-- Still hear and do thy sovereign will.

55. L. M. New York Coll.

Sabbath Day.

1 We bless thee for this sacred day, Thou who hast every blessing given, Which sends the dreams of earth away, And yields a glimpse of opening heaven.

2 Lord, in this day of holy rest, We would improve the calm repose; And, in thy service truly blest, Forget the world, its joys and woes.

3 Lord! may thy truth, upon the heart, Now fall and dwell as heavenly dew, And flowers of grace in freshness start Where once the weeds of error grew.

4 May prayer now lift her sacred wings, Contented with that aim alone Which bears her to the King of kings, And rests her at his sheltering throne.

56. C. M. Montgomery.

Introduction to Evening Worship.

1 On the first Christian Sabbath eve, When his disciples met O'er his lost fellowship to grieve, Nor knew the Scripture yet,--

2 Lo! in their midst his form was seen,-- The form in which he died; Their Master's marred and wounded mien,-- His hands, his feet, his side.

3 Then were they glad their Lord to know, And hailed him, yet with fear;-- Jesus, again thy presence show; Meet thy disciples here.

4 Be in our midst; let faith rejoice Our risen Lord to view, And make our spirits hear thy voice Say, "Peace be unto you!"

57. C. M. Watts.

Going to Church. Ps. 122.

1 How did my heart rejoice to hear My friends devoutly say, "In Zion let us all appear, And keep the solemn day!"

2 Up to her courts, with joys unknown, The holy tribes repair: The Son of David holds his throne, And sits in judgment there.

3 Peace be within this sacred place, And joy a constant guest; With holy gifts and heavenly grace Be her attendants blest.

4 My soul shall pray for Zion still While life or breath remains; There my best friends, my kindred, dwell; There God, my Saviour, reigns.

58. L. M. Stennett.

Sabbath Morning.

1 Another six days' work is done, Another Sabbath is begun: Return, my soul, enjoy thy rest, Improve the day which God hath blest.

2 O that our thoughts and thanks may rise, As grateful incense, to the skies, And draw from heaven that sweet repose, Which none but he that feels it knows!

3 This heavenly calm within the breast Is the dear pledge of glorious rest, Which for the church of God remains, The end of cares, the end of pains.

4 In holy duties let the day-- In holy pleasures--pass away: How sweet, a Sabbath thus to spend, In hope of one that ne'er shall end!

59. 7s. M. Miss H. F. Gould.

The Sabbath.

1 Choice of God, thou blessed day, At thy dawn the grave gave way To the power of him within, Who had, sinless, bled for sin.

2 Thine the radiance to illume First, for man, the dismal tomb, When its bars their weakness owned, There revealing death dethroned.

3 Then the Sun of righteousness Rose, a darkened world to bless, Bringing up from mortal night Immortality and light.

4 Day of glory, day of power, Sacred be thine every hour, Emblem, earnest of the rest That remaineth for the blest!

60. C. M. Mrs. Bareauld.

The Lord's Day Morning.

1 Again the Lord of life and light Awakes the kindling ray, Unseals the eyelids of the morn, And pours increasing day.

2 O what a night was that which wrapped The heathen world in gloom! O what a sun which broke, this day, Triumphant from the tomb!

3 This day be grateful homage paid, And loud hosannas sung; Let gladness dwell in every heart, And praise on every tongue.

4 Ten thousand differing lips shall join To hail this welcome morn, Which scatters blessings from its wings To nations yet unborn.

61. L. M. Watts.

Sabbath on Earth and in Heaven. Ps. 92.

1 Sweet is the work, my God, my King, To praise thy name, give thanks, and sing; To show thy love by morning light, And talk of all thy truth at night.

2 Sweet is the day of sacred rest! No mortal cares shall seize my breast; O may my heart in tune be found, Like David's harp of solemn sound.

3 My heart shall triumph in the Lord, And bless his works, and bless his word: Thy works of grace, how bright they shine, How deep thy counsels, how divine!

4 But I shall share a glorious part When grace hath well refined my heart, And, raised to holier courts above, I praise thee with a purer love.

5 Then shall I see, and hear, and know, All I desired or wished below; And every power find sweet employ In that eternal world of joy.

62. C. P. M. Merrick.

The Sabbath and the Earthly Temple.

1 The joyful morn, my God, is come, That calls me to thy sacred dome, Thy presence to adore: My feet the summons shall attend, With willing steps thy courts ascend And tread the hallowed floor.

2 With holy joy I hail the day, That warns my thirsting soul away; What transports fill my breast! For, lo! my great Redeemer's power Unfolds the everlasting door, And leads me to his rest!

3 Hither, from earth's remotest end, Lo! the redeemed of God ascend, Their tribute hither bring; Here, crowned with everlasting joy, In hymns of praise their tongues employ, And hail the immortal King.

63. C. M. Watts.

Longing for the House of God.

1 Early, my God, without delay, I haste to seek thy face; My thirsty spirit faints away Without thy cheering grace.

2 So pilgrims on the scorching sand, Beneath a burning sky, Long for a cooling stream at hand; And they must drink, or die.

3 Not life itself, with all its joys, Can my best passions move, Or raise so high my cheerful voice, As thy forgiving love.

4 Thus, till my last expiring day, I'll bless my God and King; Thus will I lift my hands to pray, And tune my lips to sing.

64. L. M. Heber.

The Worship of Earth and Heaven.

1 Hosanna! Lord, thine angels cry: Hosanna! Lord, we hear reply: Above, beneath us, and around, The dead and living swell the sound.

2 O Father! with protecting care Meet us in this, thy house of prayer; Assembled in Messiah's name, Thy promised blessing here we claim.

3 But, chiefest, in our cleansed breast, Eternal! let thy Spirit rest; And make our secret soul to be A temple pure, and worthy thee.

65. L. M. Watts.

Watchfulness and Brotherly Reproof. Ps. 141.

1 My God, accept my early vows, Like morning incense, in thy house; And let my nightly worship rise Sweet as the evening sacrifice.

2 Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord, From every rash and heedless word; Nor let my feet incline to tread The guilty path where sinners lead.

3 O may the righteous, when I stray, Smite and reprove my wandering way; Their gentle words, like ointment shed, Shall never bruise, but cheer, my head.

4 When I behold them prest with grief I'll cry to heaven for their relief; And by my warm petitions prove How much I prize their faithful love.

66. L. M. Watts.

The Pleasure of Public Worship. Ps. 84.

1 How pleasant, how divinely fair, O Lord of Hosts, thy dwellings are! With long desire my spirit faints To meet the assemblies of thy saints.

2 Blest are the souls who find a place Within the temple of thy grace; There they behold thy gentler rays, And seek thy face and learn thy praise.

3 Blest are the men whose hearts are set To find the way to Zion's gate; God is their Strength; and through the road They lean upon their Helper, God.

4 Cheerful they walk with growing strength, Till all shall meet in heaven at length; Till all before thy face appear, And join the nobler worship there.

67. L. M. C. Robbins.

"Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth."

1 While thus thy throne of grace we seek, O God, within our spirits speak! For we will hear thy voice to-day, Nor turn our hardened hearts away.

2 Speak in thy gentlest tones of love, Till all our best affections move; We long to hear no meaner call, But feel that Thou art all in all.

3 To conscience speak thy quickening word, Till all its sense of sin is stirred: For we would leave no stain of guile, To cloud the radiance of thy smile.

4 Speak, Father, to the anxious heart, Till every fear and doubt depart: For we can find no home or rest, Till with thy Spirit's whispers blest.

68. H. M. Roman Breviary.

For a Blessing on Worship.

1 Here, gracious God! do thou For evermore draw nigh; Accept each faithful prayer, And mark each suppliant sigh: In copious shower, on all who pray, This holy day, thy blessings pour.

2 Here may we find from heaven The grace which we implore; And may that grace once given, Be with us evermore: Until that day, when all the blest To endless rest are called away.

69. L. M. Sun. School H. B.

Sabbath Hymn.

1 Called by the Sabbath bells away, Unto thy holy temple, Lord, I'll go, with willing mind to pray, To praise thy name and hear thy word.

2 O sacred day of peace and joy, Thy hours are ever dear to me; Ne'er may a sinful thought destroy The holy calm I find in thee.

3 Dear are thy peaceful hours to me, For God has given them in his love, To tell how calm, how blest shall be The endless day of heaven above.

70. L. M. Mrs. Barbauld.

The Worship of the Heart.

1 When, as returns this solemn day, Man comes to meet his Maker, God, What rites, what honors shall he pay? How spread his Sovereign's praise abroad?

2 From marble domes and gilded spires, Shall curling clouds of incense rise? And gems, and gold, and garlands deck The costly pomp of sacrifice?

3 Vain, sinful man! creation's Lord Thy golden offerings well may spare: But give thy heart, and thou shalt find Here dwells a God who heareth prayer.

71. 7s. M. Sun. School H. B.

Sunday Evening.

1 Sacred day, forever blest! Day of all our days the best! Welcome hours of praise and prayer, Free from toil, fatigue, and care!

2 Happy, truly happy, Lord, Those who hear and read thy word! Happy those who dwell with thee! Who thy grace and glory see.

3 We once more have heard thy voice, Lord, in thee our souls rejoice; Borne by faith to worlds on high, Called to reign above the sky.

4 Though this day of rest we close, Still in thee our hearts repose; Guide and guard us all our days: O may all our lives be praise!

72. 7s. M. 6l. J. Taylor.

Invitation to pure Worship.

1 At the portals of thy house, Lord, we leave our mortal cares: Nobler thoughts our souls engage, Songs of praise, and fervent prayers. Pure and contrite hearts alone Find acceptance at thy throne.

2 Hapless men, whose footsteps stray From the temple of the Lord! Teach them Zion's heavenly way; To their feet thy light afford. Let the world unite to raise Solemn harmonies of praise.

73. L. M. 6l. C. Wesley.

Worship in spirit and in truth.

1 Father of omnipresent grace! We seem agreed to seek thy face: But every soul assembled here Doth naked in thy sight appear; Thou know'st who only bows the knee, And who in heart approaches thee.

2 To-day, while it is called to-day, Awake and stir us up to pray; The spirit of thy word impart, And breathe the life into our heart; Our weakness help, our darkness chase, And guide us by the light of grace.

74. L. M. Doddridge.

Subjection to the Father of Spirits.

1 Eternal Source of light and thought! Be all beneath thyself forgot, Whilst thee, great parent-mind, we own, In prostrate homage round thy throne.

2 Whilst in themselves our souls survey Of thee some faint reflected ray, They wondering to their Father rise: His power how vast! his thoughts how wise!

3 O may we live before thy face, The willing subjects of thy grace; And through each path of duty move, With filial awe, and filial love.

75. L. M. Montgomery.

Public Worship.

1 God in his temple let us meet, In spirit, low before him bend: Here he hath fixed his mercy-seat, Here on his Sabbath we attend.

2 Arise into thy resting-place, Thou, and thine ark of strength, O Lord! Shine through the veil, we seek thy face: Speak, for we hearken to thy word.

3 With righteousness thy priests array: Joyful thy favored people be: Let those who teach, and those who pray, Let all--be holiness to thee!

76. L. M. 6l. Dryden.

The Divine Spirit implored.

1 Creator Spirit, by whose light The sleeping worlds were called from night! Come, visit every pious mind, Come, pour thy joys on human kind; From sin and sorrow set us free, And make us temples worthy thee.

2 Plenteous in grace descend from high, Rich in thy sevenfold energy; Our frailty help, our vice control, Thou ruler of our secret soul! And, lest our feet should haply stray Protect and guide us in the way.

77. L. M. J. Wesley.

"The healthful spirit of God's grace."

1 Spirit of grace, and health, and power! Fountain of light and love below! Abroad thy healing influence shower; On all thy servants let it flow.

2 Inflame our hearts with perfect love; In us the work of faith fulfil: So not heaven's host shall swifter move, Than we on earth to do thy will.

3 Father! 'tis thine each day to yield Thy children's wants a fresh supply; Thou cloth'st the lilies of the field, And hearest the young ravens cry.

4 On thee we cast our care; we live Through thee, who know'st our every need: O feed us with thy grace, and give Our souls this day the living bread!

78. C. M. Doddridge.

Life dedicated to God.

1 Shine on our souls, eternal God! With rays of beauty shine; O let thy favor crown our days, And all their round be thine.

2 Did we not raise our hands to thee, Our hands might toil in vain; Small joy success itself could give, If thou thy love restrain.

3 With thee let every week begin; With thee each day be spent; For thee each fleeting hour improved, Since each by thee is lent.

4 Thus cheer us through the checkered road, Till all our labors cease, And heaven refresh our weary souls With everlasting peace.

79. 7s. M. S. F. Smith.

Sabbath Evening.

1 Softly fades the twilight ray Of the holy Sabbath day; Gently as life's setting sun; When the Christian's course is run.

2 Night her solemn mantle spreads O'er the earth, as daylight fades; All things tell of calm repose At the holy Sabbath's close.

3 Peace is on the world abroad; 'Tis the holy peace of God,-- Symbol of the peace within, When the spirit rests from sin.

4 Still the Spirit lingers near, Where the evening worshipper Seeks communion with the skies, Pressing onward to the prize.

CLOSE OF WORSHIP.

80. L. M. Anonymous.

Close of Worship. Evening.

1 Ere to the world again we go, Its pleasures, cares, and idle show, Thy grace once more, O God, we crave, From folly and from sin to save.

2 May the great truths we here have heard-- The lessons of thy holy word-- Dwell in our inmost bosoms deep, And all our souls from error keep.

3 Oh! may the influence of this day, Long as our memory with us stay, And as an angel guardian prove, To guide us to our home above.

81. C. M. Cappe's Sel.

Prayer for Divine Direction.

1 Eternal Source of life and light, Supremely good and wise, To thee we bring our grateful vows, To thee lift up our eyes.

2 Our dark and erring minds illume With truth's celestial rays; Inspire our hearts with sacred love, And tune our lips to praise.

3 Safely conduct us, by thy grace, Through life's perplexing road; And place us, when that journey's o'er At thy right hand, O God.

82. 8s. 7s. & 4s. Jay.

Prayer for a Blessing.

1 Come, thou soul-transforming Spirit, Bless the sower and the seed; Let each heart thy grace inherit; Raise the weak, the hungry feed; From the gospel Now supply thy people's need.

2 O, may all enjoy the blessing Which thy word's designed to give, Let us all, thy love possessing, Joyfully the truth receive, And forever To thy praise and glory live.

83. C. M. Montgomery.

After Divine Service.

1 Again our ears have heard the voice At which the dead shall live; O, may the sound our hearts rejoice, And strength immortal give!

2 And have we heard the word with joy? And have we felt its power? To keep it be our blest employ, Till life's extremest hour.

84. 8 & 7s. M. Bickersteth.

Closing Hymn.

1 Israel's Shepherd, guide me, feed me. Through my pilgrimage below, And beside the waters lead me, Where thy flock rejoicing go.

2 Lord, thy guardian presence ever, Meekly kneeling, I implore; I have found thee, and would never, Never wander from thee more.

85. 7s. M. Peabody's Coll.

Closing Supplication.

1 Father! bless thy word to all; Quick and powerful may it prove; O, may sinners hear thy call, May thy people grow in love.

2 Father, bid the world rejoice; Send thy heavenly truth abroad; May the nations hear thy voice, Hear it, and return to God.

86. C. M. Bp. Heber.

"The Seed is the Word of God."

1 O God, by whom the seed is given, By whom the harvest blest; Whose word, like manna showered from heaven Is planted in our breast.

2 Preserve it from the passing feet, And plunderers of the air; The sultry sun's intenser heat, And weeds of worldly care!

3 Though buried deep, or thinly strewn, Do thou thy grace supply: The hope in earthly furrows sown Shall ripen in the sky.

87. C. M. Anonymous.

"God giveth the Increase."

1 Now, Lord, the heavenly seed is sown, Be it thy servants' care Thy heavenly blessing to bring down By humble, fervent prayer.

2 In vain we plant without thine aid, And water, too, in vain: Lord of the harvest, God of grace, Send down thy heavenly rain.

3 Then shall our cheerful hearts and tongues Begin this song divine-- "Thou, Lord, hast given the rich increase, And be the glory thine."

88. L. M. H. Ballou.

Dismission.

1 From worship, now, thy church dismiss-- But not without thy blessing, Lord; O grant a taste of heavenly bliss, And seal instruction from thy word.

2 Oft may these pleasant scenes return When we shall meet to worship thee; Oft may our hearts within us burn To hear thy word, thy goodness see.

3 And when these pleasant scenes are past, To thee, our God, O may we come, And meet th' assembled world at last, In Zion, our eternal home.

89. H. M. J. Newton.

The Same.

On what has now been sown Thy blessing, Lord, bestow; The power is thine alone To make it spring and grow. Do thou the gracious harvest raise, And thou alone shalt have the praise.

90. H. M. E. Turner.

Thanks at the Close of Service.

1 Kind Lord, before thy face Again with joy we bow, For all the gifts and grace Thou dost on us bestow. Our tongues would all thy love proclaim, And chant the honors of thy name.

2 Here, in thine earthly house, Our joyful souls have met; Here paid our solemn vows, And felt our union sweet. For this our tongues thy love proclaim, And chant the honors of thy name.

3 Now may we dwell in peace Till here again we come; And may our love increase Till thou shalt bring us home. Then shall our tongues thy love proclaim, And chant the honors of thy name.

91. 8 & 7s. M. C. Robbins.

Close of Worship. Evening.

1 Lo! the day of rest declineth; Gather fast the shades of night-- May the Sun that ever shineth, Fill our souls with heavenly light.

2 Softly now the dew is falling; Peace o'er all the scene is spread;-- On his children meekly calling, Purer influence God will shed.

3 While thine ear of love addressing, Thus our parting hymn we sing, Father, give thine evening blessing; Fold us safe beneath thy wing.