1 FORTH from the dark and stormy sky,
Lord, to Thine altar's shade we fly;
Forth from the world, its hope and fear,
Father, we seek Thy shelter here:
Weary and weak, Thy grace we pray;
Turn not, O Lord! Thy guests away.
2 Long have we roamed in want and pain,
Long have we sought Thy rest in vain;
Wildered in doubt, in darkness lost,
Long have our souls been tempest-tost:
Low at Thy feet our sins we lay;
Turn not, O Lord! Thy guests away.
THE SABBATH OF THE SOUL.
1 O FATHER, though the anxious fear
May cloud to-morrow's way,
No fear nor doubt shall enter here;
All shall be Thine to-day.
2 We will not bring divided hearts
To worship at Thy shrine;
But each unworthy thought departs,
And leaves this temple Thine.
3 Sleep, sleep to-day, tormenting cares,
Of earth and folly born;
Ye shall not dim the light that streams
From this celestial morn.
4 To-morrow will be time enough
To feel your harsh control;
Ye shall not violate this day,
The sabbath of the soul.
1 Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Father! Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every longing heart.
2 Breathe, O, breathe Thy loving spirit
Into every troubled breast;
Let us all in Thee inherit,
Let us find Thy promised rest.
Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Graciously come down, and never,
Never more Thy temples leave!
1 FAR from mortal cares retreating,
Sordid hopes, and fond desires,
Here our willing footsteps meeting,
Every heart to heaven aspires.
From the Fount of glory beaming,
Light celestial cheers our eyes;
Mercy from above proclaiming
Peace and pardon from the skies.
2 Who may share this great salvation?
Every pure and humble mind;
Every kindred, tongue, and nation,
From the dross of guilt refined:
Blessings all around bestowing,
God withholds His care from none;
Grace and mercy ever flowing
From the fountain of His throne.
3 Every stain of guilt abhorring,
Firm and bold in virtue's cause,
Still Thy providence adoring,
Faithful subjects to Thy laws,
Lord! with favor still attend us,
Bless us with Thy wondrous love;
Thou, our sun and shield, defend us;
All our hope is from above.
"IT
IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE."
1 UNTO Thy temple, God of love,
Once more we come, with willing feet,
To raise our thoughts this world above,
And Thy paternal blessing meet.
2 May all Thy purest presence feel,
And silent keep each vain desire;
With humble hearts before Thee kneel,
And unto holier strength aspire.
8 May all be bound in bonds more true
To Thee, who art our life and light,
That through each path which we pursue,
We still may keep Thy love in sight.
4 And may we, when the day shall close,
Review its course without a fear;
And, nearer heaven than when it rose,
Feel it is good to have been here.
ACCEPTABLE OFFERINGS.
1 LORD! what offering shall we bring,
At Thine altars when we bow?
Hearts, the pure, unsullied spring,
Whence the kind affections flow:
2 Willing hands, to lead the blind,
Heal the wounded, feed the poor;
Love, embracing all our kind,
Charity, with liberal store.
3 Teach us, O thou Heavenly King,
Thus to show our grateful mind,
Thus the accepted offering bring,
Love to Thee and all mankind.
THE PLACE OF PRAYER.
1 HERE, in this place of prayer, Father! Thy face we seek:
Grant us that blessed peace to share,
Known to the pure and meek.
Souls that seem lost in night;
Leave to the Lord your heavy care,
Who giveth life and light.
3 Come with a trusting prayer,
Though fears press down your souls;
The Saviour's promise, "I am there,'
Each saddening fear controls.
4 Here, in this place of prayer,
Let hearts in union meet:
Come, cast the load you cannot bear
Low at the Saviour's feet.
Then from this house of prayer
Shall mingling praise be given,
And angels, 'mid the holy air,
Shall bear the notes to heaven.
THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE.
1 Lo! God is here; let us adore,
And humbly bow before His face;
Let all within us feel His power,
Let all within us seek His peace.
2 Lo! God is here; Him day and night
United choirs of.angels sing;
To Him, enthroned above all height,
Heaven's host their noblest praises bring.
3 Being of beings! may our praise
Thy courts with grateful incense fill:
Still may we stand before thy face,
Still hear and do thy sovereign will.
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