i

660.

3 We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

4 From sorrow, toil, and sin,
Soon shall we all be free,

And perfect love and friendship reign.
Through all eternity.

7s. M.

Joined to God's People.

1 PEOPLE of the living God,

MONTGOMERY.

I have sought the world around,
Paths of sin and sorrow trod,

Peace and comfort nowhere found.

2 Now to you my spirit turns,-
Turns, a fugitive unblest;
Brethren, where your altar burns,
O, receive me into rest.

3 Lonely I no longer roam,

661.

Like the cloud, the wind, the wave;
Where you dwell shall be my home,
Where you die shall be my grave.

L. M.

On Receiving Members.

ANONYMOUS.

1 LORD, we adore thy wondrous grace,
Who crown'st the gospel with success;
Subjecting sinners to thy yoke,
And bringing to the fold thy flock.

2 May those who have thy truth confessed
As their own faith, and hope, and rest,
From day to day still more increase
In faith, in love, and holiness.

3 As living members, may they share
The joys and griefs which others bear,
And active in their stations prove
In all the offices of love.

4 From all temptations now defend,
And keep them steadfast to the end,
While in thy house they still improve,
Until they join the church above.

A Welcome to Christian Fellowship.
1 COME in, thou blesséd of the Lord,
O, come in Jesus' precious name;
We welcome thee with one accord,

And trust the Saviour does the same.

2 Those joys which earth cannot afford,
We'll seek in fellowship to prove,
Joined in one spirit to our Lord,
Together bound by mutual love.

3 And while we pass this vale of tears,

KELLY.

We'll make our joys and sorrows known; We'll share each other's hopes and fears, And count a brother's care our own.

4 Once more our welcome we repeat; Receive assurance of our love:

O, may we all together meet

663.

Around the throne of God above!

C. M.

A Welcome to Fellowship.

MONTGOMERY.

1 APPROACH thou blesséd of the Lord;
Stranger nor foe art thou:

We welcome thee with warm accord,
Our friend, our brother, now.

664.

2 The hand of fellowship, the heart
Of love, we offer thee:

Leaving the world, thou dost but part
From lies and vanity.

3 The cup of blessing which we bless,
The heavenly bread we break,
Our Saviour's blood and righteousness, -
Freely with us partake.

L. M.

On Joining the Church.

DODDRIDGE.

1 0, HAPPY day, that fixed my choice
On thee, my Saviour and my
Lord!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad!

2 O, happy bond, that seals my vows
To Him who merits all my love!
Let cheerful anthems fill the house,
While to his altar now I move.

3 Now rest, my long-divided heart;

Fixed on this blissful centre, rest;
Here have I found a nobler part;
Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast.

4 High Heaven, that hears the solemn vow,
That vow renewed shall daily hear;

Till in life's latest hour I bow,

And bless in death a bond so dear.

665.

C. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Dedication of Children to God and Christ.

1 SEE Israel's gentle Shepherd stand,
With all-engaging charms;

Hark! how he calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms!

666.

2 "Permit them to approach," he cries,
"Nor scorn their humble name;
For 't was to bless such souls as these,
The Lord of angels came."

3 We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands,
And yield them up to thee;
Joyful that we ourselves are thine,
Thine let our offspring be.

4 Ye little flock, with pleasure hear;
Ye children, seek his face,
And fly with transport to receive
The blessings of his grace.

5 If orphans they are left behind,
God's guardian care we trust;

That care shall heal our bleeding hearts,
If weeping o'er their dust.

Infants, living or dying, in the Arms of Christ.

1 THY life I read, my dearest Lord,
With transport all-divine;

Thine image trace in every word,
Thy love in every line.

2 With joy, I see a thousand charms
Spread o'er thy lovely face;
While infants in thy tender arms
Receive the smiling grace.

3 "I take these little lambs," said he,
"And lay them on my breast;
Protection they shall find in me,
In me be ever blest.

4 "Death may the bands of life unloose,
But can't dissolve my love;
Millions of infant souls compose
The family above."

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5 His words, ye happy parents, hear,
And shout, with joys divine,
"Dear Saviour! all we have and are
Shall be forever thine."

Dedication of Children.

1 THIS child we dedicate to thee,
O God of grace and purity;

Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,
And let thy love its life prolong.

2 O, may thy Spirit gently draw
Its willing soul to keep thy law;
May virtue, piety and truth

Dawn even with its dawning youth.

3 Grant that, with true and faithful heart,
We too may act the Christian's part,
Cheered by each promise thou hast given,
And laboring for the prize in heaven.

8s. & 7s. M.

Children commended to Christ.

ANONYMOUS

1 SAVIOUR, 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 all life's dangerous way.

668.