Laying of Corner-Stone
450
L. M.
O Lord of hosts, whose glory fills
The bounds of the eternal hills
And yet vouchsaf’st, in Christian lands,
To dwell in temples made with hands;
2. Grant that all we who here to-day
Rejoicing this foundation lay
May be in very deed Thine own,
Built on the precious Corner-stone.
3. The heads that guide endue with skill,
The hands that work preserve from ill,
That we, who these foundations lay
May raise the top-stone in its day.
4. But now and ever, Lord, protect
The temple of Thine own elect;
Be Thou in them and they in Thee,
O ever-blessed Trinity!
J. M. Neale, 1844, abr.
451
8, 7, 8 l
In the name which earth and heaven
Ever worship, praise, and fear,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Shall a house be builded here.
Here with prayer its deep foundations,
In the faith of Christ, we lay,
Trusting by His help to crown it
With the top-stone in its day.
2. Here as in their due succession
Stone on stone the workmen place;
Thus, we pray, unseen, but surely,
Jesus, build us up in grace;
Till, within these walls completed,
We complete in Thee are found
And to Thee, the one Foundation,
Strong and living stones, are bound.
3. Fair shall be Thine earthly temple;
Here the careless passer-by
Shall bethink him, in its beauty,
Of the holier house on high;
Weary hearts and troubled spirits
Here shall find a still retreat;
Sinful souls shall bring their burden
Here to the Absolver’s feet.
4. Yet with truer, nobler beauty,
Lord, we pray, this house adorn,
Where Thy Bride, Thy Church redeemèd,
Robes her for her marriage morn;
Clothed in garments of salvation,
Rich with gems of heavenly grace,
Spouse of Christ, arrayed and waiting
Till she may behold His face.
5. Here in due and solemn order
May her ceaseless prayer arise;
Here may strains of holy gladness
Lift her heart above the skies;
Here the Word of Life be spoken;
Here the child of God be sealed;
Here the Bread of Heaven be broken,
“Till He come,” Himself revealed.
6. Praise to Thee, O Master Builder,
Maker of the earth and skies;
Praise to Thee, in whom Thy temple,
Fitly framed together, lies;
Praise to Thee, eternal Spirit,
Binding all that lives in one,
Till our earthly praise be ended
And th’ eternal song begun!
J. Ellerton, 1871, a.
452
C. M.
Behold the sure Foundation-stone
Which God in Zion lays
To build our heavenly hopes upon
And His eternal praise!
2. Chosen of God, to sinners dear,
Let saints adore the name;
They trust their whole salvation here,
Nor shall they suffer shame.
3. The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain;
Yet on this Rock the Church shall rest
And envy rage in vain.
4. What though the gates of hell withstood,
Yet must this building rise;
’Tis Thine own work, Almighty God,
And wondrous in our eyes.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
453
6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)
Christ is our Corner-stone,
On Him alone we build:
With His true saints alone
The courts of heav’n are filled;
On His great love our hopes we place,
Of present grace and joys above.
2. Oh, then with hymns of praise
These hallowed courts shall ring;
Our voices we will raise
The Three in One to sing
And thus proclaim in joyful song,
Both loud and long, that glorious name.
3. Here, gracious God, do Thou
Forevermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower, on all who pray,
Each holy day, Thy blessing pour.
4. Here may we gain 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!
From the Latin, 6th or 7th cent.; J. Chandler, tr., 1837.
Dedication of Church
454
8, 7, 6 l
Christ, Thou art the sure Foundation,
Thou the Head and Corner-stone;
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the Church in one;
Thou Thy Zion’s Help forever
And her Confidence alone.
2. To this temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts, to-day;
With Thy wonted loving-kindness
Hear Thy servants as they pray;
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within these walls alway.
3. Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain,
What they gain from Thee forever
With the blessed to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.
4. Praise and honor to the Father,
Praise and honor to the Son,
Praise and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One;
One in might and one in glory,
While eternal ages run.
From the Latin; J. M. Neale, 1851, a.
455
L. M.
Come, Jesus, from the sapphire throne,
Where Thy redeemed behold Thy face;
Enter this temple, now Thine own,
And let Thy glory fill the place.
2. We praise Thee that to-day we see
Its sacred walls before Thee stand;
’Tis Thine for us; ’tis ours for Thee,
Reared by Thy kind, assisting hand.
3. Oft as returns the day of rest,
Let heartfelt worship here ascend;
With Thine own joy fill every breast,
With Thine own power Thy Word attend.
4. Here in the dark and sorrowing day
Bid Thou the throbbing heart be still;
Oh, wipe the mourner’s tears away
And give new strength to meet Thy will!
5. When at Thine altar we shall meet
And keep the feast of dying love,
Be our communion ever sweet
With Thee and with Thy Church above.
6. Come, faithful Shepherd, feed Thy sheep;
In Thine own arms the lambs infold;
Give help to climb the heavenward steep
Till Thy full glory we behold.
Ray Palmer, 1875, a. and abr.
456
L. M.
Eternal Son of God, O Thou,
Before whom earth and heaven bow,
Regard Thy people as they raise
To Thee their songs of prayer and praise.
2. This house they dedicate to Thee
That here Thy glory they may see,
Thy body and Thy blood they here
Receive their fainting souls to cheer.
3. Here in baptismal water pure
They find for sin a gracious cure;
Their children here to Thee they bring,
O Thou our death-subduing King.
4. Here sin’s diseases healing find;
The weak grow strong, light cheers the blind;
The troubled heart with peace is blest,
And weariness finds heavenly rest.
5. When tempests shake the world around,
The rock-built Church secure is found;
The gates of hell may here assail
Whom Christ defends, but not prevail.
6. To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Be praise! Do Thou, whom we adore,
Teach us to praise Thee evermore.
From the Latin, tr., 1880.
457
6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)
In loud, exalted strains,
The King of Glory praise;
O’er heav’n and earth He reigns
Through everlasting days;
But Zion, with His presence blest,
Is His delight, His chosen rest.
2. O King of Glory, come
And with Thy favor crown
This temple as Thy home,
This people as Thy own;
Beneath this roof vouchsafe to show
How God can dwell with men below.
3. Now let Thine ear attend
Our supplicating cries;
Now let our praise ascend,
Accepted, to the skies;
Now let Thy Gospel’s joyful sound
Spread its celestial influence round.
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.
B. Francis, 1774.
458
S. M.
Great is the Lord, our God,
And let His praise be great;
He makes the Church His own abode,
His most delightful seat.
2. In Zion God is known,
A Refuge in distress;
How bright has His salvation shone
Through all her palaces!
3. Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold
Where His own sheep have been.
4. In every new distress
We’ll to His house repair;
We’ll think upon His wondrous grace
And seek deliverance there.
Isaac Watts, 1719, abr.
459
L. M.
Here in Thy name, eternal God,
We build this earthly house for Thee;
Oh, choose it for Thy fixed abode
And keep it from all error free!
2. Here, when Thy people seek Thy face
And dying sinners pray to live,
Hear Thou in heaven, Thy dwelling-place;
And when Thou hearest, Lord, forgive.
3. Here, when Thy messengers proclaim
The blessed Gospel of Thy Son,
Still by the power of His great name
Be mighty signs and wonders done.
4. When children’s voices raise the song,
“Hosanna to the heavenly King!”
Let heaven with earth the strain prolong,
Hosanna! let the angels sing.
5. Thy glory never hence depart;
Yet choose not, Lord, this house alone:
Thy kingdom come to every heart,
In every bosom fix Thy throne.
James Montgomery, 1822.
The Communion of Saints
460
L. M.
There is within this heart of mine
A little church, with sacred shrine,
And stained forever with the blood
Of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
2. Here dwelleth God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
He is my soul’s beloved Guest
And grants my heart true peace and rest.
3. This little church looks poor and odd;
But being the abode of God,
It has a glorious, peerless grace:
It is God’s royal dwelling-place.
4. This little church, Lord, I commend
Unto Thy care and pray: Defend
And shield it from calamity,
Dwell there now and eternally.
From the Latin of B. Walther; B. Derschau, † 1639; A. Crull, tr.
461
8, 7, 8, 7
Lord, in Thy kingdom there shall be
No aliens from each other,
But even as he loves himself
Each saint shall love his brother.
2. When in Thy courts below we meet
To mourn our sinful living
And with united hearts repeat
Confession, creed, thanksgiving:
3. Make us to hear in each sweet word
Thy Holy Spirit calling
To oneness with Thy Church and Thee,
That heavenly bond forestalling.
4. One Baptism and one faith have we,
One Spirit sent to win us,
One Lord, one Father, and one God,
Above and through and in us.
5. Never, by schism or by sin,
May we that union sever,
Till all, to perfect stature grown,
Are one with Thee forever!
J. Anstice, † 1836.
462
S. M.
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
2. Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes;
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart
And hope to meet again.
5. This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives
And longs to see the day.
6. From sorrow, toil, and pain,
And sin we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.
J. Fawcett, 1772.
463
C. M.
The saints on earth and those above
But one communion make;
Joined to their Lord, in bonds of love,
All of His grace partake.
2. One family, we dwell in Him,
One Church above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream, of death.
3. One army of the living God,
To His commands we bow;
Part of the host have passed the flood,
And part are crossing now.
4. Lo, thousands to their endless home
Are swiftly borne away;
And we are to the margin come
And soon must launch as they.
5. Lord Jesus, be our constant Guide;
Then, when the word is given,
Bid death’s cold flood its waves divide
And land us safe in heaven.
Isaac Watts, 1709, and Charles Wesley, 1759, a.
Glory of the Church
464
8, 7, 8 l
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken
Formed thee for His own abode:
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
2. See, the streams of living waters
Springing from eternal love
Well supply thy sons and daughters
And all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t’assuage—
Grace, which, like the Lord, the Giver,
Never fails from age to age?
3. Savior, since of Zion’s city
I, through grace, a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.
John Newton, 1779.
465
8, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7
Zion stands with hills surrounded,
Zion, kept by power divine;
All her foes shall be confounded,
Though the world in arms combine.
Happy Zion,
What a happy lot is thine!
2. Every human tie may perish,
Friend to friend unfaithful prove,
Brothers cease their own to cherish,
Heaven and earth at last remove;
But no changes
Can attend Jehovah’s love.
3. In the furnace God may prove thee,
Thence to bring thee forth more bright,
But can never cease to love thee;
Thou art precious in His sight;
God is with thee,
God, thine everlasting Light.
Thomas Kelly, 1806.
466
7, 6, 8 l
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
2. Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.
3. Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
4. Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore,
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
5. Yet she on earth hath union
With God, the Three in One,
And mystic, sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.
S. J. Stone, 1866.
467
8, 7, 8, 7
Hark! the Church proclaims her honor,
And her strength is only this;
God hath laid her choice upon her,
And the work she doth is His.
2. He His Church has firmly founded,
He will guard what He began;
We, by sin and foes surrounded,
Build her bulwarks as we can.
3. Frail and fleeting are our powers,
Short our days, our foresight dim,
And we own the choice not ours,
We were chosen first by Him.
4. Onward, then! for naught despairing;
Calm we follow at His word,
Thus through joy and sorrow bearing
Faithful witness to our Lord.
5. Though we here must strive in weakness,
Though in tears we often bend,
What His might began in meekness
Shall achieve a glorious end.
S. Preiswerk, 1844; C. Winkworth, tr., 1858.
468
S. M.
I love Thy Zion, Lord,
The house of Thine abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.
2. I love Thy Church, O God!
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And graven on Thy hand.
3. Should I with scoffers join
Her altars to abuse?
No! better far my tongue were dumb,
My hand its skill should lose.
4. For her my tears shall fall,
For her my prayers ascend,
To her my cares and toils be given
Till toils and cares shall end.
5. Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.
6. Jesus, Thou Friend Divine,
Our Savior and our King,
Thy hand from every snare and foe
Shall great deliverance bring.
7. Sure as Thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be given
The brightest glories earth can yield
And brighter bliss of heaven.
T. Dwight, 1800, a.
469
6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)
Lord of the worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
Thine earthly temples are!
To Thine abode
My heart aspires,
With warm desires
To see my God.
2. Oh, happy souls who pray
Where God appoints to hear!
Oh, happy men who pay
Their constant service there!
They praise Thee still;
And happy they
Who love the way
To Zion’s hill.
3. They go from strength to strength
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length,
Till each in heaven appears.
Oh, glorious seat,
When God, our King,
Shall thither bring
Our willing feet!
Isaac Watts, 1719.
Missions
470
8, 7, 6 l
Saints of God, the dawn is brightening,
Token of our coming Lord;
O’er the earth the field is whitening;
Louder rings the Master’s word:
Pray for reapers
In the harvest of the Lord!
2. Now, O Lord, fulfil Thy pleasure,
Breathe upon Thy chosen band,
And, with Pentecostal measure,
Send forth reapers o’er our land,
Faithful reapers,
Gathering sheaves for Thy right hand.
3. Broad the shadow of our nation,
Eager millions hither roam;
Lo! they wait for Thy salvation.
Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
By Thy Spirit
Bring Thy ransomed people home.
4. Soon shall end the time of weeping,
Soon the reaping time will come,
Heaven and earth together keeping
God’s eternal Harvest-home.
Saints and angels
Shout the world’s great Harvest-home.
M. Maxwell, 1849.
471
7, 6, 8 l
The morning light is breaking;
The darkness disappears;
The sons of earth are waking
To penitential tears;
Each breeze that sweeps the ocean
Brings tidings from afar
Of nations in commotion,
Prepared for Zion’s war.
2. See heathen nations bending
Before the God we love,
And thousand hearts ascending
In gratitude above;
While sinners, now confessing,
The Gospel call obey
And seek the Savior’s blessing,
A nation in a day.
3. Blest river of salvation,
Pursue thy onward way;
Flow thou to every nation,
Nor in thy richness stay;
Stay not till all the lowly
Triumphant reach their home;
Stay not till all the holy
Proclaim, “The Lord is come!”
S. F. Smith, 1832.
472
7, 6, 8 l
Our country’s voice is pleading,
Ye men of God, arise!
His providence is leading,
The land before you lies;
Day-gleams are o’er it brightening,
And promise clothes the soil;
Wide fields, for harvest whitening,
Invite the reaper’s toil.
2. Go where the waves are breaking
On California’s shore,
Christ’s precious Gospel taking,
More rich than golden ore;
On Alleghany’s mountains,
Through all the Western vale,
Beside Missouri’s fountains,
Rehearse the wondrous tale.
3. His love of Christ unfolding,
Speed on from east to west,
Till all, His Cross beholding,
In Him are fully blessed.
Great Author of salvation,
Haste, haste the glorious day,
When we, a ransomed nation,
Thy scepter shall obey.
Maria F. Anderson, 1848.
473
L. M.
O Spirit of the living God,
In all Thy plenitude of grace,
Where’er the foot of man hath trod,
Descend on our apostate race.
2. Give tongues of fire and hearts of love
To preach the reconciling Word;
Give power and unction from above
Where’er the joyful sound is heard.
3. Be darkness, at Thy coming, light;
Confusion—order, in Thy path;
Souls without strength inspire with might;
Bid mercy triumph over wrath.
4. O Spirit of the Lord, prepare
A sinful world their God to meet;
Breathe Thou abroad like morning air
Till hearts of stone begin to beat.
5. Baptize the nations; far and nigh
The triumphs of the Cross record;
The name of Jesus glorify
Till every kindred call Him Lord.
6. God from eternity hath willed
All flesh shall His salvation see;
So be the Father’s love fulfilled,
The Savior’s sufferings crowned through Thee.
James Montgomery, 1825.
474
7, 6, 8 l
From Greenland’s icy mountains,
From India’s coral strand,
Where Afric’s sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error’s chain.
2. What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle,
Though every prospect pleases
And only man is vile;
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone.
3. Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,—
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation, O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim
Till earth’s remotest nation
Has learned Messiah’s name.
4. Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o’er our ransomed nature
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.
Reginald Heber, 1819.
475
L. M.
O Christ, our true and only Light,
Enlighten those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Thy voice
And in Thy fold with us rejoice.
2. Fill with the radiance of Thy grace
The souls now lost in error’s maze
And all whom in their secret minds
Some dark delusion haunts and blinds.
3. And all who else have strayed from Thee,
O gently seek! Thy healing be
To every wounded conscience given
And let them also share Thy heaven.
4. O make the deaf to hear Thy Word
And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,
Who dare not yet the faith avow,
Though secretly they hold it now.
5. Shine on the darkened and the cold,
Recall the wanderers from Thy fold,
Unite all those who walk apart,
Confirm the weak and doubting heart.
6. So they with us may evermore
Such grace with wondering thanks adore,
And endless praise to Thee be given
By all Thy Church in earth and heaven.
J. Heermann, 1630; C. Winkworth, tr.
476
8, 7, 8 l
Hark! the voice of Jesus crying,
“Who will go and work to-day?
Fields are white and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Loud and long the Master calleth,
Rich reward He offers thee;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here am I, send me, send me”?
2. If you cannot cross the ocean
And the heathen lands explore,
You can find the heathen nearer,
You can help them at your door;
If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow’s mite;
And the least you give for Jesus
Will be precious in His sight.
3. If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked
With the Judgment’s dread alarms,
You can lead the little children
To the Savior’s waiting arms.
4. Let none hear you idly saying,
“There is nothing I can do,”
While the souls of men are dying
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth,
“Here am I, send me, send me!”
D. March, 1868.
477
8, 7, 8 l
Savior, sprinkle many nations;
Fruitful let Thy sorrows be;
By Thy pains and consolations
Draw the Gentiles unto Thee!
Of Thy Cross the wondrous story,
Be it to the nations told;
Let them see Thee in Thy glory
And Thy mercy manifold.
2. Let to mortals all be given
Thee to know and life to gain,
Thee the very God of heaven,
Thee the Man for sinners slain!
Speak Thou, through the Gospel-tiding,
Peace to every human breast;
Grant to all in Thee confiding
Mercy, solace, hope, and rest.
3. Great the need in every nation,
Dense the darkness of sin’s night;
Let Thy Spirit bring salvation,
Love’s pure flame, and wisdom’s light.
Give the Word, Thy preachers strengthen
With the prophets’ power of old,
Help them Zion’s cords to lengthen,
All Thy wandering sheep to fold!
A. C. Coxe, 1851; Stanzas 2 and 3 a., W. G. Polack, 1927.
478
10s
Rise, crowned with light, imperial Salem, rise!
Exalt thy towering head and lift thine eyes;
See heaven its sparkling portals wide display
And break upon thee in a flood of day.
2. See a long race thy spacious court adorn;
See future sons and daughters, yet unborn,
In crowding ranks on every side arise,
Demanding life, impatient for the skies.
3. See barbarous nations at thy gates attend,
Walk in the light and in thy temple bend;
See thy bright altars thronged with prostrate kings,
While every land its joyful tribute brings.
4. The seas shall waste, the skies to smoke decay,
Rocks fall to dust, and mountains melt away;
But fixed this Word, this saving power, remains;
Thy realms shall last, thy own Messiah reigns.
Alexander Pope, 1720.
479
L. M.
Look from Thy sphere of endless day,
O God of mercy and of might!
In pity look on those who stray
Benighted in this land of light.
2. In peopled vale, in lonely glen,
In crowded mart, by stream or sea,
How many of the sons of men
Hear not the message sent from Thee!
3. Send forth Thy heralds, Lord, to call
The thoughtless young, the hardened old,
A scattered, homeless flock, till all
Be gathered to Thy peaceful fold.
4. Send them Thy mighty Word to speak,
Till faith shall dawn and doubt depart,
To awe the bold, to stay the weak,
And bind and heal the broken heart.
5. Then all these wastes, a dreary scene,
That makes us sadden as we gaze,
Shall grow with living waters green
And lift to heaven the voice of praise.
William Cullen Bryant, 1840, a.
480
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7
May God bestow on us His grace,
With blessings rich provide us,
And may the brightness of His face,
To life eternal guide us,
That we His gracious work may know
And what is His good pleasure,
And also to the heathen show
Christ’s riches without measure
And unto God convert them.
2. Thine over all shall be the praise
And thanks of every nation,
And all the world with joy shall raise
The voice of exultation;
For Thou shalt judge the earth, O Lord,
Nor suffer sin to flourish;
Thy people’s pasture is Thy Word
Their souls to feed and nourish,
In righteous paths to keep them.
3. O let the people praise Thy worth,
In all good works increasing;
The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,
Thy Word is rich in blessing.
May God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit bless us!
Let all the world praise Him alone,
Let solemn awe possess us.
Now let our hearts say, Amen.
Martin Luther, 1524.
481
L. M. 6 l
Awake, Thou Spirit, who didst fire
The watchmen of the Church’s youth,
Who faced the foe’s envenomed ire,
Who witnessed day and night Thy truth,
Whose voices loud are ringing still
And bringing hosts to know Thy will.
2. Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard,
The prayer Thy Son hath bid us pray;
For, lo, Thy children’s hearts are stirred
In every land in this our day
To cry with fervent soul to Thee,
O help us, Lord! So let it be!
3. O haste to help ere we are lost!
Send preachers forth, in spirit strong,
Armed with Thy Word, a dauntless host,
Bold to attack the rule of wrong;
Let them the earth for Thee reclaim,
Thy heritage, to know Thy name.
4. Would there were help within our walls!
O let Thy Spirit come again,
Before whom every barrier falls;
And now once more shine forth as then.
O rend the heavens and make us free!
Come, Lord, and bring us back to Thee!
5. And let Thy Word have speedy course,
Through every land be glorified,
Till all the heathen know its force
And fill Thy churches far and wide.
Spread Thou the conquest of Thy Word
And let Thy kingdom come, O Lord!
6. The Church’s desert paths restore;
Let stumbling-blocks that in them lie
Hinder Thy Word henceforth no more;
Error destroy, and heresy,
And let Thy Church, from hirelings free,
Bloom as a garden fair to Thee.
C. H. Bogatzky, 1750; C. Winkworth, tr., a., 1855.
482
7s
Soldiers of the Cross, arise,
Gird you with your armor bright;
Mighty are your enemies,
Hard the battle ye must fight.
2. O’er a faithless, fallen world
Raise your banner in the sky;
Let it float there wide unfurled;
Bear it onward, lift it high.
3. Mid the homes of want and woe,
Strangers to the living Word,
Let the Savior’s heralds go,
Let the voice of hope be heard.
4. Where the shadows deepest lie,
Carry truth’s unsullied ray;
Where are crimes of blackest dye,
There the saving sign display.
5. To the weary and the worn
Tell of realms where sorrows cease;
To the outcast and forlorn
Speak of mercy and of peace.
6. Guard the helpless; seek the strayed;
Comfort troubles; banish grief;
In the might of God arrayed,
Scatter sin and unbelief.
7. Be the banner still unfurled,
Still unsheathed the Spirit’s Sword,
Till the kingdoms of the world
Are the kingdom of the Lord.
W. W. How, 1854.
483
L. M.
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2. To Him shall endless prayer be made
And endless praises crown His head;
His name, like sweet perfume, shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
3. People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His name.
4. Blessings abound where’er He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to loose his chains,
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blest.
5. Where He displays His healing power,
Death and the curse are known no more;
In Him the tribes of Adam boast
More blessings than their father lost.
6. Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud Amen.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
484
8, 8, 8, 6
Send Thou, O Lord, to every place
Swift messengers before Thy face,
The heralds of Thy wondrous grace,
Where Thou Thyself wilt come.
2. Send men whose eyes have seen the King,
Men in whose ears His sweet words ring;
Send such Thy lost ones home to bring;
Send them where Thou wilt come,—
3. To bring good news to souls in sin,
The bruised and broken hearts to win;
In every place to bring them in
Where Thou Thyself wilt come.
4. Thou who hast died, Thy victory claim;
Assert, O Christ, Thy glory’s name
And far to lands of pagan shame
Send men where Thou wilt come.
5. Gird each one with the Spirit’s Sword,
The sword of Thine own deathless Word,
And make them conquerors, conquering Lord,
Where Thou Thyself wilt come.
6. Raise up, O Lord the Holy Ghost,
From this broad land a mighty host,
Their war-cry, “We will seek the lost
Where Thou, O Christ, wilt come!”
Mrs. M. E. Gates, 1889.
The Ministry
485
8, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6 (C. P. M.)
Lord of the Church, we humbly pray
For those who guide us in Thy way
And speak Thy holy Word;
With love divine their hearts inspire
And touch their lips with hallowed fire
And needful strength afford.
2. Help them to preach the Truth of God,
Redemption through the Savior’s blood,
Nor let the Spirit cease
On all the Church His gifts to shower,—
To them a messenger of power;
To us, of life and peace.
3. So may they live to Thee alone;
Then hear the welcome word, “Well done!”
And take their crown above;
Enter into their Master’s joy
And all eternity employ
In praise and bliss and love.
E. Osler, 1836.
486
10s
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons;
Elijah’s mantle o’er Elisha cast;
Each age its solemn task may claim but once;
Make each a nobler, stronger than the last!
2. Anoint them prophets! Make their ears attent
To Thy divinest speech; their hearts awake
To human need; their lips make eloquent
T’assure the right and every evil break.
3. Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they
For pardon and for charity and peace!
Ah, if with them the world might pass, astray,
Into the dear Christ’s life of sacrifice!
4. Anoint them kings; aye, kindly kings, O Lord!
Anoint them with the Spirit of Thy Son!
Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword;
Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won!
5. Make them apostles, heralds of Thy Cross!
Forth may they go to tell all realms Thy grace.
Inspired of Thee, may they count all but loss
And stand at last with joy before Thy face.
6. O mighty age of prophet-kings, return!
O truth, O faith, enrich our urgent time!
Lord Jesus Christ, again with us sojourn;
A weary world awaits Thy reign sublime!
D. Wortman, 1884.
487
S. M. 8 l
Lord, when at Thy command
The Word of Life we sow,
Watered by Thy almighty hand,
The seed shall surely grow;
The virtue of Thy grace
A large increase shall give
And multiply the faithful race
Who to Thy glory live.
2. Now, then, the ceaseless shower
Of Gospel-blessings send
And let the soul-converting power
Thy ministers attend;
On multitudes confer
The heart-renewing love
And by the joy of grace prepare
For fuller joys above.
Charles Wesley.
488
L. M.
Lord, pour Thy Spirit from on high
And Thine ordainèd servants bless;
Graces and gifts to each supply
And clothe Thy priests with righteousness.
2. Within Thy temple when they stand
To teach the truth as taught by Thee,
Savior, like stars in Thy right hand,
Let all Thy Church’s pastors be.
3. Wisdom and zeal and faith impart,
Firmness and meekness from above,
To bear Thy people in their heart
And love the souls whom Thou dost love;
4. To watch and pray and never faint
By day and night strict guard to keep,
To warn the sinner, cheer the saint,
To feed Thy lambs, and fold Thy sheep.
5. So, when their work is finished here,
They may in hope their charge resign;
So, when their Master shall appear,
They may with crowns of glory shine.
James Montgomery, 1833.
489
L. M.
We bid thee welcome in the name
Of Jesus, our exalted Head.
Come as a servant,—so He came,—
And we receive thee in His stead.
2. Come as a shepherd; guard and keep
This fold from hell and earth and sin;
Nourish the lambs and feed the sheep;
The wounded heal, the lost bring in.
3. Come as a teacher sent from God,
Charged His whole counsel to declare;
Lift o’er our ranks the prophet’s rod
While we uphold thy hands with prayer.
4. Come as a messenger of peace,
Filled with the Spirit, fired with love;
Live to behold our large increase
And die to meet us all above.
James Montgomery.
490
S. M.
How beauteous are their feet
Who stand on Zion’s hill;
Who bring salvation on their tongues
And words of peace reveal!
2. How charming is their voice!
How sweet their tidings are!
“Zion, behold thy Savior-King!
He reigns and triumphs here.”
3. How happy are our ears
That hear this joyful sound
Which kings and prophets waited for
And sought, but never found!
4. How blessed are our eyes
That see this heavenly light!
Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight.
5. The watchmen join their voice
And tuneful notes employ;
Jerusalem breaks forth in songs,
And deserts learn the joy.
6. The Lord makes bare His arm
Through all the earth abroad.
Let every nation now behold
Their Savior and their God.
Isaac Watts, 1707.
491
S. M.
Lord of the harvest, hear
Thy needy servants cry;
Answer our faith’s effectual prayer
And all our wants supply.
2. On Thee we humbly wait,
Our wants are in Thy view.
The harvest, truly, Lord, is great,
The laborers are few.
3. Convert and send forth more
Into Thy Church abroad
And let them speak Thy Word of Power
As workers with their God.
4. Oh, let them spread Thy name,
Their mission fully prove,
Thy universal grace proclaim,
Thine all-redeeming love!
Charles Wesley, 1742.
492
L. M. 6 l
Thou who the night in prayer didst spend
And then didst Thine apostles send,
And bidd’st us pray the harvest’s Lord
To send forth sowers of Thy Word,—
Hear and Thy chosen servants bless
With sevenfold gifts of holiness.
2. Oh, may Thy pastors faithful be,
Not laboring for themselves, but Thee!
Give grace to feed with wholesome food
The sheep and lambs bought by Thy blood,
To tend Thy flock, and thus to prove
How dearly they the Shepherd love.
3. Oh, may Thy people faithful be,
And in Thy pastors honor Thee,
And with them work, and for them pray,
And gladly Thee in them obey;
Receive the prophet of the Lord
And gain the prophet’s own reward!
4. So may we, when our work is done,
Together stand before Thy throne
And joyful hearts and voices raise
In one united song of praise,
With all the bright celestial host,
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
C. Wordsworth.
493
L. M.
Bow down Thine ear, almighty Lord,
And hear Thy Church’s suppliant cry
For all who preach Thy saving Word
And wait upon Thy ministry.
2. In mercy, Father, now give heed
And pour Thy quickening Spirit’s breath
On those whom Thou dost call to feed
Thy flock redeemed by Jesus’ death.
3. O Savior, from Thy piercèd hand
Shed o’er them all Thy gifts divine
That those who in Thy presence stand
May do Thy will with love like Thine.
4. Blest Spirit, in their hearts abide
And give them grace to watch and pray,
That, as they seek Thy flock to guide,
Themselves may keep the narrow way.
5. O God, Thy strength and mercy send
To shield them in their strife with sin;
Grant them, enduring to the end,
The crown of life at last to win.
T. E. Powell, 1864.