Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 152

920. C. M. Ancient Hymns.

Social Evening Wors.h.i.+p.

1 O, 'Tis a scene the heart to move, When, at the close of day, Whom G.o.d unites in Christian love Unite their thanks to pay.

2 What though the number be but small; Whenever two or three Join on the Saviour's name to call, There in the midst is he.

3 When faithful and repentant hearts His heavenly grace ensue, His grace, intreated, he imparts To many or to few.

4 O, come, then, and, with joint accord, In social wors.h.i.+p meet; And, mindful of the Saviour's word, The Saviour's boon intreat.

921. 7s. M. Newton.

Parting Hymn.

1 For a season called to part, Let us then ourselves commend To the gracious eye and heart Of our ever-present Friend.

2 Father, hear our humble prayer!

Tender shepherd of thy sheep, Let thy mercy and thy care All our souls in safety keep.

3 In thy strength may we be strong; Sweeten every cross and pain; Give us, if we live, ere long, Here to meet in peace again.

922. C. M. Methodist Coll.

The Same.

1 Through thee we now together came, In singleness of heart; We met, O, Jesus, in thy name, And in thy name we part.

2 We part in body, not in mind; Our minds continue one; And, each to each in Jesus joined, We hand in hand go on.

3 Present we still in spirit are, And intimately nigh, While on the wings of faith and prayer We each to other fly.

4 Our life is hid with Christ in G.o.d; Our life shall soon appear, And shed his glory all abroad In all his members here.

923. L. M. Doddridge.

The Christian Farewell.

1 Thy presence, everlasting G.o.d!

Wide o'er all nature spreads abroad: Thy watchful eyes, which cannot sleep, In every place thy children keep.

2 While near each other we remain, Thou dost our lives and souls sustain; When sep'rate, happy if we share Thy smiles, thy counsels, and thy care.

3 To thee we all our ways commit, And seek our comforts near thy feet; Still on our souls vouchsafe to s.h.i.+ne, And guard and guide us still as thine.

4 Give us in thy beloved house, Again to pay our grateful vows; Or, if that joy no more be known, Give us to meet around thy throne.

924. 8s. & 7s. M. C. Wesley.

Domestic Wors.h.i.+p.

1 Peace be to this habitation; Peace to all that dwell therein; Peace, the earnest of salvation; Peace, the fruit of pardoned sin; Peace, that speaks the heavenly Giver; Peace, to worldly minds unknown; Peace divine, that lasts forever; Peace, that comes from G.o.d alone.

2 Jesus, Prince of Peace, be near us; Fix in all our hearts thy home; With thy gracious presence cheer us; Let thy sacred kingdom come; Raise to heaven our expectation, Give our favored souls to prove Glorious and complete salvation, In the realms of bliss above.

925. L. M. Doddridge & Merrick.

The Same. Ps. 128.

1 Blest is the man who fears the Lord, And walks by his unerring word; Comfort and peace his days attend, And G.o.d will ever prove his friend.

2 To him who condescends to dwell With saints in their obscurest cell, Be our domestic altars raised, And daily let his name be praised.

3 To him may each a.s.sembled house Present their night and morning vows; And children of the rising race Be taught his precepts and his grace.

4 When nature droops, our aged eyes Shall see our children's children rise; Till pleased and thankful we remove, And join the family above.

926. L. M. Scott.

Family Religion.

1 Where'er the Lord shall build my house, An altar to his name I'll raise; There, morn and evening, shall ascend The sacrifice of prayer and praise.