Who in this promise finds His rest;
For Jesus will in love abide
With those who do in Him confide:
7. The guest that comes with true intent
To turn to God and to repent,
To live for Christ, to die to sin,
And thus a holy life begin.
8. Who does unworthy here appear,
Does not believe nor is sincere,
Salvation here he cannot find.
May we this warning bear in mind!
9. O Jesus Christ, our Brother dear,
Unto Thy cross we now draw near;
Thy sacred wounds indeed make whole
A wounded and afflicted soul.
10. Help us sincerely to believe
That we Thy mercy do receive
And in Thy grace do find our rest.
Amen. He who believes is blest.
H. Spegel, 1686; J. O. Wallin, 1814.
435
7, 6, 8 l
O living Bread from heaven,
How hast Thou fed Thy guest!
The gifts Thou now hast given
Have filled my heart with rest.
O wondrous Food of blessing!
O Cup that heals our woes!
My heart, this gift possessing,
In thankful song o’erflows.
2. My Lord, Thou here hast led me
Within Thy holiest place
And there Thyself hast fed me
With treasures of Thy grace;
And Thou hast freely given
What earth could never buy,
The Bread of life from heaven,
That now I shall not die.
3. Thou givest all I wanted.
The food can death destroy,
And Thou hast freely granted
The cup of endless joy.
Ah, Lord, I do not merit
The favor Thou hast shown,
And all my soul and spirit
Bow down before Thy throne.
4. Lord, grant me that, thus strengthened
With heavenly food, while here
My course on earth is lengthened,
I serve with holy fear;
And when Thou call’st my spirit
To leave this world below,
I enter, through Thy merit,
Where joys unmingled flow.
J. Rist, 1651, a.; C. Winkworth, tr., 1858.
436
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7
Lord Jesus, Thou art truly good;
Thou spread’st for our salvation
Thy body and Thy blood as food
And giv’st us invitation;
As weary souls, with sin opprest,
We come to Thee for needed rest,
For counsel and forgiveness.
2. Although Thou didst ascend to heaven,
Where angels bow before Thee,
And now to mortals ’tis not given
By sight here to adore Thee,
Until begins Thy Judgment grand,
When we before Thy throne shall stand
And cheerfully behold Thee;
3. Yet art Thou ever with us, Lord,
And with Thy congregation
And not confined—so says Thy Word—
To any habitation.
Firm as a rock Thy Word still stands,
Unshaken by the en’mies’ hands
Though they be e’er so cunning.
4. Thou say’st: “This is My body; eat
And orally receive Me.
This is My blood; drink all of it
And henceforth never leave Me.”
What Thou hast spoken true must be;
Thou art almighty, and with Thee
Impossible is nothing.
5. Although my reason cannot see
How in so many places
Thy body at one time may be,
Yet faith Thy Word embraces.
How it can be I leave to Thee;
Thy Word alone sufficeth me,
For Thou wilt that we trust it.
6. Lord, I believe in simple trust,
Strength in my weakness give me,
For I am naught but sinful dust,
Nor of Thy Word bereave me!
Thy Baptism, Supper, and Thy Word
My consolation are, O Lord,
For they contain my treasure.
7. Grant that we worthily receive
Thy Supper, Lord, our Savior,
That for our sins we truly grieve
And prove by our behavior
That we obtained Thy saving grace
And trust in it throughout our days;
Then will our life be godly.
8. For Thy consoling Supper, Lord,
Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for with one accord
The world against it rages.
Grant that Thy body and Thy blood
May be my comfort and sweet food
In my last moments. Amen.
S. Kinner, 1638; E. Cronenwett, tr., 1880.
437
L. M.
An awful mystery is here
To challenge faith and waken fear;
The Savior comes as food divine,
Concealed in earthly bread and wine.
2. This world is loveless—but above,
What wondrous boundlessness of love!
The King of Glory stoops to me
My spirit’s Life and Strength to be.
3. In consecrated wine and bread
No eye perceives the mystery dread;
But Jesus’ words are strong and clear:
“My body and My blood are here.”
4. How dull are all the powers of sense,
Employed on proofs of love immense!
The richest food remains unseen,
And highest gifts appear how mean!
5. But here we have no boon on earth,
And faith alone discerns its worth;
The Word, not sense, must be our guide
And faith assure, since sight’s denied.
6. Lord, show us still that Thou art good
And grant us evermore this food;
Give faith to ev’ry wav’ring soul
And make each wounded spirit whole.
M. Loy, 1880.
438
L. M.
Invited, Lord, by boundless grace,
I stood a guest before Thy face;
As host Thou spread’st no common food;
Here is Thy body and Thy blood!
2. How holy is this Sacrament,
Where pardon, peace, and life are spent!
This bread and cup my lips have pressed;
Thou blessedst, and my soul is blessed.
3. Now lettest Thou Thy guest depart
With full assurance in his heart;
For such communion, Lord, with Thee
May a new life my offering be!
4. When Thou shalt in Thy glory come
To gather all Thy people home,
Then let me, as Thy heavenly guest,
In anthems praise Thee with the blest!
E. Cronenwett, c. 1880.
439
L. M.
’Twas on that dark, that doleful night,
When powers of earth and hell arose
Against the Son of God’s delight,
And friends betrayed Him to His foes.
2. Before the mournful scene began,
He took the bread and blessed and brake;
What love through all His actions ran!
What wondrous words of grace He spake!
3. “This is My body, broke for sin;
Receive and eat the living food”;
Then took the cup and blessed the wine:
“’Tis the new covenant in My blood.”
4. “Do this,” He said, “till time shall end,
In memory of your dying Friend.
Meet at My table and record
The love of your departed Lord.”
5. Jesus, Thy feast we celebrate;
We show Thy death, we sing Thy name,
Till Thou return and we shall eat
The marriage supper of the Lamb.
Isaac Watts, 1709, a.
440
L. M.
At Thy command, our dearest Lord,
Here we attend Thy dying feast;
Thy blood, like wine, adorns the board,
And Thine own flesh feeds every guest.
2. Our faith adores Thy bleeding love
And trusts for life in One that died;
We hope for heavenly crowns above
From a Redeemer crucified.
3. Let the vain world pronounce it shame
And fling their scandals on the cause;
We come to boast our Savior’s name
And make our triumphs in His cross.
4. With joy we tell the scoffing age,
He that was dead has left His tomb;
He lives above their utmost rage,
And we are waiting till He come.
Isaac Watts, 1707.
441
8, 8, 7, 8
Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior,
Turned away God’s wrath forever;
Suffering pains no tongue can tell,
He saved us from the pains of hell.
2. To remind us that, to save us,
He hath died, His flesh He gave us
With this bread, a quick’ning food,
And with this wine His precious blood.
3. Whoso to this board repaireth
Take good heed how he prepareth;
Death instead of life shall he
Receive who comes unworthily.
4. Thou shalt hold with faith unshaken
That this food is to be taken
By the sick who are distressed,
By those whose heart is sin-oppressed.
5. Christ says: “Come, ye heavy-laden,
I your weary hearts will gladden;
They that are yet strong and well,
Despise the best physician’s skill.
6. “Couldst thou earn thine own salvation,
Useless were My death and Passion;
This feast is not spread for thee
If thine own helper thou wilt be.”
7. If thou this believest truly
And confession makest duly,
Thou a welcome guest art here,
This heavenly food thy soul shall cheer.
8. But the fruits must not be missing,
Love thy neighbor without ceasing;
That true love let him receive
Which here to thee thy God doth give.
John Huss, † 1415; Martin Luther, 1524.
HOME, MARRIAGE, CHILDREN.
442
7, 6, 7, 6
The voice that breathed o’er Eden,
That earliest wedding-day,
The primal marriage blessing,—
It hath not passed away.
2. Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid,
The Holy Three are with us,
The threefold grace is said.
3. Be present, loving Father,
To give away this bride,
As Eve Thou gav’st to Adam
Out of his own pierced side.
4. Be present, Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands,
As Thou didst bind two natures
In Thine eternal bands.
5. Be present, Holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As Thou for Christ, the Bridegroom,
The heavenly spouse dost seal.
6. O spread Thy pure wings o’er them,
Let no ill power find place,
When onward to Thine altar
Their hallowed path they trace,
7. To cast their crowns before Thee
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ’s own Bride they rise.
J. Keble, 1857, a.
443
C. M. 8 l
Lord, who at Cana’s wedding-feast
Didst as a Guest appear,
Thou dearer far than earthly guest,
Vouchsafe Thy presence here;
For holy Thou indeed dost prove
The marriage-vow to be,
Proclaiming it a type of love
Between the Church and Thee.
2. The holiest vow that man can make,
The golden thread in life,
The bond that none may dare to break,
That bindeth man and wife;
Which, blessed by Thee, whate’er betides,
No evil shall destroy,
Through care-worn days each care divides,
And doubles every joy.
3. On those who now before Thee kneel,
O Lord, Thy blessing pour,
That each may wake the other’s zeal
To love Thee more and more.
Oh, grant them here in peace to live,
In purity and love,
And, this world leaving, to receive
A crown of life above.
A. Thrupp, 1853, a.
444
11, 10, 11, 10
O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in pray’r before Thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.
2. O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust, that fears nor pain nor death.
3. Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.
Dorothy F. Bloomfield, 1883.
445
L. M.
O blest the house, whate’er befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all;
Yea, if He were not dwelling there,
How poor and dark and void it were!
2. O blest that house where faith ye find,
And all within have set their mind
To trust their God and serve Him still
And do in all His holy will!
3. O blest the parents who give heed
Unto their children’s foremost need
And weary not of care or cost!
To them and heaven shall none be lost.
4. Blest such a house, it prospers well,
In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lot is shown
How richly God can bless His own.
5. Then here will I and mine to-day
A solemn covenant make and say:
Though all the world forsake Thy Word,
I and my house will serve the Lord.
C. C. von Pfeil, 1782; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
446
L. M.
Happy the man who feareth God,
Whose feet His holy ways have trod;
Thine own good hand shall nourish thee,
And well and happy shalt thou be.
2. Lo! to that man these blessings cleave
Who in God’s holy fear doth live;
From him the ancient curse hath fled
By Adam’s race inherited.
3. Out of Mount Zion God shall send
And crown with joy thy latter end,
That thou Jerusalem may’st see
In favor and prosperity.
4. He shall be with thee in thy ways
And give thee health and strength of days;
Yea, thou shalt children’s children see,
And peace on Israel shall be.
5. Praise God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One;
As ’twas through ages heretofore,
Is now, and shall be evermore.
Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., abr.
447
8, 7, 6 l
Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd,
Children all are dear to Thee;
Gathered with Thine arms and carried
In Thy bosom may they be;
Sweetly, fondly, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.
2. Tender Shepherd, never leave them
From Thy fold to go astray;
By Thy warning love directed,
May they walk the narrow way!
Thus direct them, thus defend them,
Lest they fall an easy prey.
3. Cleanse their hearts from sinful folly
In the stream Thy love supplied,
Mingled stream of blood and water
Flowing from Thy wounded side;
And to heavenly pastures lead them,
Where Thine own still waters glide.
4. Let Thy holy Word instruct them;
Fill their minds with heavenly light;
Let Thy powerful grace constrain them
To approve whate’er is right;
Let them feel Thy yoke is easy,
Let them prove Thy burden light.
5. Taught to lisp Thy holy praises
Which on earth Thy children sing,
Both with lips and hearts, unfeignèd,
Glad thank-offerings may they bring;
Then with all the saints in glory
Join to praise their Lord and King.
Jane E. Leeson, 1857.
448
6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4
Shepherd of tender youth,
Guiding in love and truth
Through devious ways;
Christ, our triumphant King,
We come Thy name to sing
And here our children bring
To join Thy praise.
2. Thou art our holy Lord,
O all-subduing Word,
Healer of strife.
Thou didst Thyself abase
That from sin’s deep disgrace
Thou mightest save our race
And give us life.
3. Thou art the great High Priest;
Thou hast prepared the feast
Of holy love;
And in our mortal pain
None calls on Thee in vain;
Help Thou dost not disdain,
Help from above.
4. Ever be near our side,
Our Shepherd and our Guide,
Our Staff and Song;
Jesus, Thou Christ of God,
By Thine enduring Word
Lead us where Thou hast trod,
Make our faith strong.
5. So now, and till we die,
Sound we Thy praises high
And joyful sing;
Let all the holy throng
Who to Thy Church belong
Unite and swell the song
To Christ, our King!
Clement of Alexandria, 211; H. M. Dexter, tr., 1846.
449
8, 7, 8, 7
Savior, who Thy flock art feeding
With the Shepherd’s kindest care,
All the feeble gently leading,
While the lambs Thy bosom share,—
2. Now, these little ones receiving,
Fold them in Thy gracious arm;
There, we know, Thy Word believing,
Only there secure from harm.
3. Never, from Thy pasture roving,
Let them be the Lion’s prey;
Let Thy tenderness, so loving,
Keep them through life’s dangerous way.
4. Then within Thy fold eternal
Let them find a resting-place,
Feed in pastures ever vernal,
Drink the rivers of Thy grace.
W. A. Muehlenberg, 1826.
CHURCH.
LAYING OF CORNER-STONE.
450
L. M.
O Lord of hosts, whose glory fills
The bounds of the eternal hills
And yet vouchsaf’st, in Christian lands,
To dwell in temples made with hands;
2. Grant that all we who here to-day
Rejoicing this foundation lay
May be in very deed Thine own,
Built on the precious Corner-stone.
3. The heads that guide endue with skill,
The hands that work preserve from ill,
That we, who these foundations lay
May raise the top-stone in its day.
4. But now and ever, Lord, protect
The temple of Thine own elect;
Be Thou in them and they in Thee,
O ever-blessed Trinity!
J. M. Neale, 1844, abr.
451
8, 7, 8 l
In the name which earth and heaven
Ever worship, praise, and fear,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Shall a house be builded here.
Here with prayer its deep foundations,
In the faith of Christ, we lay,
Trusting by His help to crown it
With the top-stone in its day.
2. Here as in their due succession
Stone on stone the workmen place;
Thus, we pray, unseen, but surely,
Jesus, build us up in grace;
Till, within these walls completed,
We complete in Thee are found
And to Thee, the one Foundation,
Strong and living stones, are bound.
3. Fair shall be Thine earthly temple;
Here the careless passer-by
Shall bethink him, in its beauty,
Of the holier house on high;
Weary hearts and troubled spirits
Here shall find a still retreat;
Sinful souls shall bring their burden
Here to the Absolver’s feet.
4. Yet with truer, nobler beauty,
Lord, we pray, this house adorn,
Where Thy Bride, Thy Church redeemèd,
Robes her for her marriage morn;
Clothed in garments of salvation,
Rich with gems of heavenly grace,
Spouse of Christ, arrayed and waiting
Till she may behold His face.
5. Here in due and solemn order
May her ceaseless prayer arise;
Here may strains of holy gladness
Lift her heart above the skies;
Here the Word of Life be spoken;
Here the child of God be sealed;
Here the Bread of Heaven be broken,
“Till He come,” Himself revealed.
6. Praise to Thee, O Master Builder,
Maker of the earth and skies;
Praise to Thee, in whom Thy temple,
Fitly framed together, lies;
Praise to Thee, eternal Spirit,
Binding all that lives in one,
Till our earthly praise be ended
And th’ eternal song begun!
J. Ellerton, 1871, a.
452
C. M.
Behold the sure Foundation-stone
Which God in Zion lays
To build our heavenly hopes upon
And His eternal praise!
2. Chosen of God, to sinners dear,
Let saints adore the name;
They trust their whole salvation here,
Nor shall they suffer shame.
3. The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain;
Yet on this Rock the Church shall rest
And envy rage in vain.
4. What though the gates of hell withstood,
Yet must this building rise;
’Tis Thine own work, Almighty God,
And wondrous in our eyes.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
453
6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)
Christ is our Corner-stone,
On Him alone we build:
With His true saints alone
The courts of heav’n are filled;
On His great love our hopes we place,
Of present grace and joys above.
2. Oh, then with hymns of praise
These hallowed courts shall ring;
Our voices we will raise
The Three in One to sing
And thus proclaim in joyful song,
Both loud and long, that glorious name.
3. Here, gracious God, do Thou
Forevermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower, on all who pray,
Each holy day, Thy blessing pour.
4. Here may we gain 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!
From the Latin, 6th or 7th cent.; J. Chandler, tr., 1837.
DEDICATION OF CHURCH.
454
8, 7, 6 l
Christ, Thou art the sure Foundation,
Thou the Head and Corner-stone;
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the Church in one;
Thou Thy Zion’s Help forever
And her Confidence alone.
2. To this temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts, to-day;
With Thy wonted loving-kindness
Hear Thy servants as they pray;
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within these walls alway.
3. Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain,
What they gain from Thee forever
With the blessed to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.
4. Praise and honor to the Father,
Praise and honor to the Son,
Praise and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One;
One in might and one in glory,
While eternal ages run.
From the Latin; J. M. Neale, 1851, a.
455
L. M.
Come, Jesus, from the sapphire throne,
Where Thy redeemed behold Thy face;
Enter this temple, now Thine own,
And let Thy glory fill the place.
2. We praise Thee that to-day we see
Its sacred walls before Thee stand;
’Tis Thine for us; ’tis ours for Thee,
Reared by Thy kind, assisting hand.
3. Oft as returns the day of rest,
Let heartfelt worship here ascend;
With Thine own joy fill every breast,
With Thine own power Thy Word attend.
4. Here in the dark and sorrowing day
Bid Thou the throbbing heart be still;
Oh, wipe the mourner’s tears away
And give new strength to meet Thy will!
5. When at Thine altar we shall meet
And keep the feast of dying love,
Be our communion ever sweet
With Thee and with Thy Church above.
6. Come, faithful Shepherd, feed Thy sheep;
In Thine own arms the lambs infold;
Give help to climb the heavenward steep
Till Thy full glory we behold.
Ray Palmer, 1875, a. and abr.
456
L. M.
Eternal Son of God, O Thou,
Before whom earth and heaven bow,
Regard Thy people as they raise
To Thee their songs of prayer and praise.
2. This house they dedicate to Thee
That here Thy glory they may see,
Thy body and Thy blood they here
Receive their fainting souls to cheer.
3. Here in baptismal water pure
They find for sin a gracious cure;
Their children here to Thee they bring,
O Thou our death-subduing King.
4. Here sin’s diseases healing find;
The weak grow strong, light cheers the blind;
The troubled heart with peace is blest,
And weariness finds heavenly rest.
5. When tempests shake the world around,
The rock-built Church secure is found;
The gates of hell may here assail
Whom Christ defends, but not prevail.
6. To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Be praise! Do Thou, whom we adore,
Teach us to praise Thee evermore.
From the Latin, tr., 1880.
457
6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (H. M.)
In loud, exalted strains,
The King of Glory praise;
O’er heav’n and earth He reigns
Through everlasting days;
But Zion, with His presence blest,
Is His delight, His chosen rest.
2. O King of Glory, come
And with Thy favor crown
This temple as Thy home,
This people as Thy own;
Beneath this roof vouchsafe to show
How God can dwell with men below.
3. Now let Thine ear attend
Our supplicating cries;
Now let our praise ascend,
Accepted, to the skies;
Now let Thy Gospel’s joyful sound
Spread its celestial influence round.
4. Here may the listening throng
Imbibe Thy truth and love,
Here Christians join the song
Of seraphim above,
Till all who humbly seek Thy face
Rejoice in Thy abounding grace.
B. Francis, 1774.
458
S. M.
Great is the Lord, our God,
And let His praise be great;
He makes the Church His own abode,
His most delightful seat.
2. In Zion God is known,
A Refuge in distress;
How bright has His salvation shone
Through all her palaces!
3. Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold
Where His own sheep have been.
4. In every new distress
We’ll to His house repair;
We’ll think upon His wondrous grace
And seek deliverance there.
Isaac Watts, 1719, abr.
459
L. M.
Here in Thy name, eternal God,
We build this earthly house for Thee;
Oh, choose it for Thy fixed abode
And keep it from all error free!
2. Here, when Thy people seek Thy face
And dying sinners pray to live,
Hear Thou in heaven, Thy dwelling-place;
And when Thou hearest, Lord, forgive.
3. 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.
4. When children’s voices raise the song,
“Hosanna to the heavenly King!”
Let heaven with earth the strain prolong,
Hosanna! let the angels sing.
5. Thy glory never hence depart;
Yet choose not, Lord, this house alone:
Thy kingdom come to every heart,
In every bosom fix Thy throne.
James Montgomery, 1822.
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.
460
L. M.
There is within this heart of mine
A little church, with sacred shrine,
And stained forever with the blood
Of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
2. Here dwelleth God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
He is my soul’s beloved Guest
And grants my heart true peace and rest.
3. This little church looks poor and odd;
But being the abode of God,
It has a glorious, peerless grace:
It is God’s royal dwelling-place.
4. This little church, Lord, I commend
Unto Thy care and pray: Defend
And shield it from calamity,
Dwell there now and eternally.
From the Latin of B. Walther; B. Derschau, † 1639; A. Crull, tr.
461
8, 7, 8, 7
Lord, in Thy kingdom there shall be
No aliens from each other,
But even as he loves himself
Each saint shall love his brother.
2. When in Thy courts below we meet
To mourn our sinful living
And with united hearts repeat
Confession, creed, thanksgiving:
3. Make us to hear in each sweet word
Thy Holy Spirit calling
To oneness with Thy Church and Thee,
That heavenly bond forestalling.
4. One Baptism and one faith have we,
One Spirit sent to win us,
One Lord, one Father, and one God,
Above and through and in us.
5. Never, by schism or by sin,
May we that union sever,
Till all, to perfect stature grown,
Are one with Thee forever!
J. Anstice, † 1836.
462
S. M.
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
2. Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.
3. We share our mutual woes;
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
4. When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart
And hope to meet again.
5. This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives
And longs to see the day.
6. From sorrow, toil, and pain,
And sin we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.
J. Fawcett, 1772.
463
C. M.
The saints on earth and those above
But one communion make;
Joined to their Lord, in bonds of love,
All of His grace partake.
2. One family, we dwell in Him,
One Church above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream, of death.
3. One army of the living God,
To His commands we bow;
Part of the host have passed the flood,
And part are crossing now.
4. Lo, thousands to their endless home
Are swiftly borne away;
And we are to the margin come
And soon must launch as they.