Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 5

31. C. M. Watts.

G.o.d present in the Sanctuary.

1 My Soul, how lovely is the place To which thy G.o.d resorts!

'Tis heaven to see his smiling face, Though in his earthly courts.

2 There the great Monarch of the skies His saving power displays; And light breaks in upon our eyes With kind and quickening rays.

3 With his rich gifts the heavenly Dove Descends and fills the place, While Christ reveals his wondrous love, And sheds abroad his grace.

4 There, mighty G.o.d, thy words declare The secrets of thy will; And still we seek thy mercy there, And sing thy praises still.

32. C. M. Pratt's Coll.

A Blessing sought.

1 Again our earthly cares we leave, And to thy courts repair; Again, with joyful feet we come To meet our Saviour here.

2 The feeling heart, the melting eye, The humble mind, bestow; And s.h.i.+ne upon us from on high, To make our graces grow.

3 May we in faith receive thy word, In faith present our prayers, And in the presence of our Lord Unbosom all our cares.

4 Show us some token of thy love, Our fainting hope to raise, And pour thy blessing from above, That we may render praise.

33. L. M. Tate & Brady.

Public Wors.h.i.+p.

1 For thee, O G.o.d, our constant praise In Zion waits, thy chosen seat; Our promised altars there we'll raise, And all our zealous vows complete.

2 O thou, who to my humble prayer Didst always bend thy listening ear, To thee shall all mankind repair, And at thy gracious throne appear.

3 Our sins, though numberless, in vain To stop thy flowing mercy try; For thou wilt cleanse the guilty stain, And wash away the crimson dye.

4 Blest is the man, who, near thee placed, Within thy sacred dwelling lives; Whilst we at humbler distance taste The vast delight thy wors.h.i.+p gives.

34. L. M. Frothingham.

Truth and Love.

1 O G.o.d, whose presence glows in all, Within, around us, and above!

Thy word we bless, thy name we call, Whose word is Truth, whose name is Love.

2 That truth be with the heart believed Of all who seek this sacred place; With power proclaimed, in peace received-- Our spirits' light, thy Spirit's grace.

3 That love its holy influence pour, To keep us meek, and make us free, And throw its binding blessing more Round each with all, and all with thee.

4 Send down its angel to our side-- Send in its calm upon the breast; For we would know no other guide, And we can need no other rest.

35. L. M. Montgomery.

Invoking a Blessing.

1 Lord! when thy people seek thy face, And dying sinners pray to live, Hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place, And, when thou hearest, O forgive!

2 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.

3 But will indeed Jehovah deign Here to abide, no transient guest?

Here will the world's Redeemer reign, And here the Holy Spirit rest?

4 That glory never hence depart!

Yet choose not, Lord, this house alone; Thy kingdom come to every heart, In every bosom fix thy throne.

36. 7s. M. 6l. J. Newton.

A Prayer for Lord's Day.

1 Safely through another week Thou hast brought us on our way; Let us now thy blessing seek, Waiting in thy courts to-day: Day, of all the week the best-- Emblem of eternal rest.

2 Mercies multiplied each hour Through the week our praise demand: Guarded by almighty power, Fed and guided by thy hand, May we not forgetful be, Nor ungrateful, Lord, to thee.

3 While we seek supplies of grace Through the dear Redeemer's name, Show thy reconciling face, Take away our sin and shame.

From our worldly cares set free, May we rest this day in thee.

4 May the gospel's joyful sound Conquer sinners, comfort saints; Make the fruits of grace abound; Bring relief from all complaints.

Thus let all our sabbaths prove, Till we join the church above.