Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 109

659. S. M. Fawcett.

Christian Fellows.h.i.+p.

1 Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellows.h.i.+p 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 From sorrow, toil, and sin, Soon shall we all be free, And perfect love and friends.h.i.+p reign Through all eternity.

660. 7s. M. Montgomery.

Joined to G.o.d's People.

1 People of the living G.o.d, I have sought the world around, Paths of sin and sorrow trod, Peace and comfort nowhere found.

2 Now to you my spirit turns,-- Turns, a fugitive unblest; Brethren, where your altar burns, O, receive me into rest.

3 Lonely I no longer roam, Like the cloud, the wind, the wave; Where you dwell shall be my home, Where you die shall be my grave.

661. L. M. Anonymous.

On Receiving Members.

1 Lord, we adore thy wondrous grace, Who crown'st the gospel with success; Subjecting sinners to thy yoke, And bringing to the fold thy flock.

2 May those who have thy truth confessed As their own faith, and hope, and rest, From day to day still more increase In faith, in love, and holiness.

3 As living members, may they share The joys and griefs which others bear, And active in their stations prove In all the offices of love.

4 From all temptations now defend, And keep them steadfast to the end, While in thy house they still improve, Until they join the church above.

662. L. M. Kelly.

A Welcome to Christian Fellows.h.i.+p.

1 Come in, thou blessed of the Lord, O, come in Jesus' precious name; We welcome thee with one accord, And trust the Saviour does the same.

2 Those joys which earth cannot afford, We'll seek in fellows.h.i.+p to prove, Joined in one spirit to our Lord, Together bound by mutual love.

3 And while we pa.s.s this vale of tears, We'll make our joys and sorrows known; We'll share each other's hopes and fears, And count a brother's care our own.

4 Once more our welcome we repeat; Receive a.s.surance of our love: O, may we all together meet Around the throne of G.o.d above!

663. C. M. Montgomery.

A Welcome to Fellows.h.i.+p.

1 Approach thou blessed of the Lord; Stranger nor foe art thou: We welcome thee with warm accord, Our friend, our brother, now.

2 The hand of fellows.h.i.+p, the heart Of love, we offer thee: Leaving the world, thou dost but part From lies and vanity.

3 The cup of blessing which we bless, The heavenly bread we break, Our Saviour's blood and righteousness,-- Freely with us partake.

664. L. M. Doddridge.

On Joining the Church.

1 O, happy day, that fixed my choice On thee, my Saviour and my Lord!

Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad!

2 O, happy bond, that seals my vows To Him who merits all my love!

Let cheerful anthems fill the house, While to his altar now I move.

3 Now rest, my long-divided heart; Fixed on this blissful centre, rest; Here have I found a n.o.bler part; Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast.

4 High Heaven, that hears the solemn vow, That vow renewed shall daily hear; Till in life's latest hour I bow, And bless in death a bond so dear.

665. C. M. Doddridge.

Dedication of Children to G.o.d and Christ.