Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 117

Benefits of the Ministry.

1 Blest is the hour when cares depart, And earthly scenes are far,-- When tears of woe forget to start, And gently dawns upon the heart Devotion's holy star.

2 Blest is the place where angels bend To hear our wors.h.i.+p rise, Where kindred thoughts their musings blend, And all the soul's affections tend Beyond the veiling skies.

3 Blest are the hallowed vows that bind Man to his work of love,-- Bind him to cheer the humble mind, Console the weeping, lead the blind, And guide to joys above.

4 Sweet shall the song of glory swell, Spirit divine to thee, When they whose work is finished well, In thy own courts of rest shall dwell, Blest through eternity.

709. L. M. H. Ware, Jr.

Ordination or Installation.

1 O Thou, who on thy chosen Son Didst send thy Spirit like a dove, To mark the long expected one, And seal the messenger of love;

2 And when the heralds of his name Went forth his glorious truth to spread, Didst send it down in tongues of flame To hallow each devoted head;

3 So, Lord, thy servant now inspire With holy unction from above; Give him the tongue of living fire, Give him the temper of the dove.

4 Lord, hear thy suppliant church to-day; Accept our work, our souls possess, 'Tis ours to labor, watch, and pray; Be thine to cheer, sustain, and bless.

710. C. M. E. H. Chapin.

Ordination Hymn.

1 O Thou, who didst ordain the Word, And its strong heralds send, We draw the holy veil of prayer, And in thy presence bend.

To this young warrior of the cross, Who takes his station here, Be thou a teacher and a guide, And be thy Spirit near.

2 A pure disciple, let him tread The ways his Master trod-- Giving the weary spirits rest, Leading the lost to G.o.d-- Stooping to lend the sufferer aid, Crushed sorrow's wail to hear, To bind the widow's broken heart, And dry the orphan's tear.

3 For war with error, make him strong, And sin, the soul's dark foe-- But let him humbly seek for truth, Where'er its waters flow.

And when, O Father, at the grave He lays his armor down, Give him the victor's glistening robe, The palm-wreath and the crown.

711. L. M. Montgomery.

A Pastor Welcomed.

1 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 an angel, hence to guide A band of pilgrims on their way; That, safely walking at thy side, We never fail, nor faint, nor stray.

3 Come as a teacher sent from G.o.d, 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.

712. 8s. & 7s. M. J. G. Adams.

Charge to a Pastor.

1 Herald of the Lord's salvation, Watchful in thy station stand; Heed the heavenly proclamation, Heed the Master's great command.

Mark old error's gathering forces Compa.s.sing our Zion round; Know in truth thine own resources, Give the trumpet's certain sound!

2 Christ proclaim in the new station, Herald, now a.s.signed to thee; That the waiting congregation G.o.d's salvation here may see.

Christ proclaim--no line abating Of the counsel of the Lord; From no promise deviating; From no precept; "preach the word."

3 Then, G.o.d's blessing resting o'er thee, And his truth, by night, by day, Cloud and pillar bright before thee, Shall make glad thy gospel way; Till thy work well done, the greeting Of the Master will be given; Till we rise to that one meeting-- Pastor--people--all--in heaven!

713. 7s. M. E. Peabody.

Ordination or Installation.

1 Lift aloud the voice of praise!

G.o.d, our Father and our Friend, Hear the prayer and song we raise, Weak, yet trusting, we would bend.

2 Lo! another servant brought To the heritage of G.o.d;-- May he teach as Christ hath taught, Tread the path his Saviour trod.

3 To the vineyard may he come Girded with celestial might; Skilled to draw thy children home, Taught to give the darkened light.

4 Unto thee, a people bend,-- Bind us heart to heart in love; Flock and pastor, we would tend Ever toward our home above.

714. H. M. Mrs. Case.

The Same.