Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 11

4 Speak, Father, to the anxious heart, Till every fear and doubt depart: For we can find no home or rest, Till with thy Spirit's whispers blest.

68. H. M. Roman Breviary.

For a Blessing on Wors.h.i.+p.

1 Here, gracious G.o.d! do thou For evermore draw nigh; Accept each faithful prayer, And mark each suppliant sigh: In copious shower, on all who pray, This holy day, thy blessings pour.

2 Here may we find 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.

69. L. M. Sun. School H. B.

Sabbath Hymn.

1 Called by the Sabbath bells away, Unto thy holy temple, Lord, I'll go, with willing mind to pray, To praise thy name and hear thy word.

2 O sacred day of peace and joy, Thy hours are ever dear to me; Ne'er may a sinful thought destroy The holy calm I find in thee.

3 Dear are thy peaceful hours to me, For G.o.d has given them in his love, To tell how calm, how blest shall be The endless day of heaven above.

70. L. M. Mrs. Barbauld.

The Wors.h.i.+p of the Heart.

1 When, as returns this solemn day, Man comes to meet his Maker, G.o.d, What rites, what honors shall he pay?

How spread his Sovereign's praise abroad?

2 From marble domes and gilded spires, Shall curling clouds of incense rise?

And gems, and gold, and garlands deck The costly pomp of sacrifice?

3 Vain, sinful man! creation's Lord Thy golden offerings well may spare: But give thy heart, and thou shalt find Here dwells a G.o.d who heareth prayer.

71. 7s. M. Sun. School H. B.

Sunday Evening.

1 Sacred day, forever blest!

Day of all our days the best!

Welcome hours of praise and prayer, Free from toil, fatigue, and care!

2 Happy, truly happy, Lord, Those who hear and read thy word!

Happy those who dwell with thee!

Who thy grace and glory see.

3 We once more have heard thy voice, Lord, in thee our souls rejoice; Borne by faith to worlds on high, Called to reign above the sky.

4 Though this day of rest we close, Still in thee our hearts repose; Guide and guard us all our days: O may all our lives be praise!

72. 7s. M. 6l. J. Taylor.

Invitation to pure Wors.h.i.+p.

1 At the portals of thy house, Lord, we leave our mortal cares: n.o.bler thoughts our souls engage, Songs of praise, and fervent prayers.

Pure and contrite hearts alone Find acceptance at thy throne.

2 Hapless men, whose footsteps stray From the temple of the Lord!

Teach them Zion's heavenly way; To their feet thy light afford.

Let the world unite to raise Solemn harmonies of praise.

73. L. M. 6l. C. Wesley.

Wors.h.i.+p in spirit and in truth.

1 Father of omnipresent grace!

We seem agreed to seek thy face: But every soul a.s.sembled here Doth naked in thy sight appear; Thou know'st who only bows the knee, And who in heart approaches thee.

2 To-day, while it is called to-day, Awake and stir us up to pray; The spirit of thy word impart, And breathe the life into our heart; Our weakness help, our darkness chase, And guide us by the light of grace.

74. L. M. Doddridge.

Subjection to the Father of Spirits.