Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 120

4 While we attend thy churches' care O grant us wisdom from above; With prudent thought and humble prayer, May we fulfil the works of love.

726. L. M. Hymns of Zion.

The Same.

1 Brethren, beloved for Jesus' sake, A hearty welcome here receive; May we together now partake The joys which he alone can give.

2 May he by whose kind care we meet, Send his good Spirit from above, Make our communion pure and sweet, And cause our hearts to burn with love.

3 Forgotten be each worldly theme, When thus we meet, to pray and praise; We but desire to speak of him, And of his holy word and ways.

4 Thus as the moments pa.s.s away, We'll love, and wonder and adore; Then hasten on, the glorious day, When we shall meet to part no more.

727. C. M. Hymns of Zion.

The Same.

1 Joined in a union firm and strong, No foe our ranks can break; To victory we press along, And glorious warfare make.

Our fervent prayers shall still prevail Against a host of sins; And angels every Christian hail Whose love a conquest wins.

2 Then let our ranks, more closely joined, With s.h.i.+eld and buckler stand; A kingdom we at last shall find, The promised spirit-land.

Let all with harmony of voice, In lofty praises join; Let every soul in Christ rejoice, With rapture all divine.

3 The kindling flame begins to glow, Each heart grows warm with love; And we enjoy on earth below, The bliss of heaven above!

O thus forever may we feel, And evermore display Devotion's pure and holy zeal, In Zion's chosen way.

728. 7s. & 6s. M. J. G. Adams.

The Same.

1 Our Father--ever living!

Once more thy children come, In joy and true thanksgiving, To this their gospel home.

United--from dissension Kept by thy goodness free-- Again in glad Convention Our vows we pay to thee.

2 The Past! Its ways are beaming With thy sure mercies, Lord-- Thy truth and grace redeeming, Sent o'er the earth abroad, The h.o.a.ry shrines of error Have cast aside; and free From darkness, doubt, and terror Its children come to thee.

3 The Present! Loudly sounding, Its cheering tones are heard; Be our full hearts abounding In its strong Hope and Word!

Be strength and wisdom, Father!

Bestowing what we need, Truth's harvest-sheaves to gather-- Christ's kingdom here to speed.

4 The Future! Indications Of mightier works are there:-- Truth's promised revelations; Thine arm of power made bare; From sin's dread reign exemption: Man's life in Christ, divine; The erring world's redemption; The glory, Father, thine!

729. C. M. Mrs. Sawyer.

The Same.

1 We gather in the name of G.o.d, And, bowing down the head, We stretch our waiting hands abroad, And humbly ask for aid: For aid, when o'er the spirit's day, Thick clouds of darkness rest, That we may chase the gloom away, And light the darkened breast.

2 For strength to lead the poor, the weak Who tread the vale of years,-- For pity's hand to dry the cheek Where sorrow sits in tears; For hope, the beautiful and bright, That whispers, "Ne'er despond!"

For faith, that through the darkest night Still sees a star beyond.

3 Bold heralds of the cross, O G.o.d, Undaunted send us forth; Salvation be our rallying word,-- Our field, the boundless earth; Love on our lips, and in our soul, Our labors never done; O Sovereign Helper! till the goal By all at last be won.

730. 7s. M. H. K. White.

Closing Hymn at an a.s.sociation.

1 Christians! brethren! ere we part, Every voice and every heart Join, and to our Father raise One last hymn of grateful praise.

2 Though we here should meet no more, Yet there is a brighter sh.o.r.e; There, released from toil and pain, There we all may meet again.

3 Now to him who reigns in heaven Be eternal glory given; Grateful for thy love divine, O may all our hearts be thine!

731. C. M. Sutton.

The Same.

1 Hail, sweetest, dearest tie that binds Our glowing hearts in one; Hail, sacred hope, that tunes our minds To sing what G.o.d hath done.

It is the hope, the blissful hope, Which gospel grace hath given; The hope, when days and years are past, We all shall meet in heaven.

2 From eastern sh.o.r.es, from northern lands, From western hill and plain, From southern climes, the brother-bands May hope to meet again; It is the hope, the blissful hope, Which love divine hath given: The hope, when life and time are o'er, We all shall meet in heaven.

3 No hope deferred, no parting sigh, That blessed meeting knows; There friends.h.i.+p beams from every eye, And hope immortal grows.

It is the hope, the precious hope, Which boundless grace hath given: The hope, when time shall be no more, We all shall meet in heaven.