1 We join to pray, with wishes kind, A blessing, Lord, from Thee, On those who now the bands have twined, Which ne"er may broken be.
2 We know that scenes not always bright Must unto them be given; But let there shine o"er all the light Of love, and truth, and heaven.
3 Still hand in hand, their journey through, Meek pilgrims may they go; Mingling their joys as helpers true, And sharing every woe.
4 In faith, and trust, and heart, the same, The same their home above; May each in each still feed the flame Of pure and holy love.
381. 7s. M. Anonymous.
Marriage Hymn.
1 Father, in Thy presence now Has been pledged the nuptial vow; Heart to heart, as hand in hand, Linked in one Thy children stand.
2 G.o.d of love! this union bless, Not with earth"s low happiness; But with joys whose heavenly spring Shall diviner raptures bring.
3 May these blended souls be found Firm in duty"s active round; Daily every burden share, Nightly seek Thy shadowing care.
4 When against their trembling forms Shoot the arrows of life"s storms; Or when age and sickness wait Heralds at life"s parting gate;--
5 In the fulness of belief, May they look beyond the grief; And together fearless tread In the path where Thou shall lead.
382. L. M. Norton.
Dedication of a Church.
1 Where ancient forests widely spread, Where bends the cataract"s ocean-fall; On the lone mountain"s silent head, There are Thy temples, G.o.d of all!
2 The tombs Thine altars are; for there, When earthly loves and hopes have fled, To Thee ascends the spirit"s prayer, Thou G.o.d of the immortal dead!
3 All s.p.a.ce is holy, for all s.p.a.ce Is filled by Thee;--but human thought Burns clearer in some chosen place, Where Thine own words of love are taught.
4 Here be they taught; and may we know That faith Thy servants knew of old, Which onward bears, through weal or woe, Till death the gates of heaven unfold.
5 Nor we alone; may those whose brow Shows yet no trace of human cares Hereafter stand where we do now, And raise to Thee still holier prayers.
383. C. M. Bryant.
Dedication Hymns.
1 O Thou, whose own vast temple stands Built over earth and sea, Accept the walls that human hands Have raised to worship Thee!
2 Lord, from Thine inmost glory send, Within these courts to bide, The peace that dwelleth, without end, Serenely by Thy side!
3 May erring minds that worship here Be taught the better way; And they who mourn, and they who fear, Be strengthened as they pray.
4 May faith grow firm, and love grow warm, And pure devotion rise, While round these hallowed walls the storm Of earth-born pa.s.sion dies.
384. C. M. *
Ordination Hymn.
1 O G.o.d! Thy children, gathered here, Thy blessing now we wait; Thy servant, girded for his work, Stands at the temple"s gate.
2 A holy purpose in his heart Has deepened calm and still; Now from his childhood"s Nazareth He comes, to do Thy will.
3 O Father! keep his soul alive To every hope of good; And may his life of love proclaim Man"s truest brotherhood!
4 O Father! keep his spirit quick To every form of wrong; And in the ear of sin and self May his rebuke be strong!
5 And as he doth Christ"s footsteps press, If e"er his faith grow dim, Then, in the dreary wilderness, Thine angels strengthen him!
6 And give him in Thy holy work Patience to wait Thy time, And, toiling still with man, to breathe The soul"s serener clime.
7 O grant him many hearts to lead Into Thy perfect rest; Bless Thou him, Father, and his flock: Bless! and they shall be blest!
385. C. M. *
Ordination.
1 Go, preach the gospel in my name, Said he of Bethlehem: Teach of a crown more glorious Than earthly diadem.
2 Teach ye as I have taught, in love; Be hate unthought, unspoken; Bind up the bleeding heart, nor let The bruised reed be broken.
3 If any scorn you for the truth Which ye shall publish free, Think of the lonely midnight hour In dark Gethsemane:
4 Think of my prayers on Olivet, My musings by the sea; And though the heavy chain may bind, That truth shall make you free.