Chapter VIII: Introduction (8)

5 Let us enjoy and highly prize
These tokens of thy love,
Till thou shalt bid our spirits rise
To worship thee above.

493 C. M.
The bond of perfectness.
Col. 3:14.

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,
When those that love the Lord,
In one another’s peace delight,
And so fulfill the word.

2 When each can feel his brother’s sigh,
And with him bear a part;
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart:

3 When free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failing hide,
And show a brother’s love:

4 When love in one delightful stream
Through every bosom flows,
When union sweet and dear esteem
In every action glows.

5 Love is the golden chain that binds,
The happy souls above,
And he’s an heir of heaven that finds
His bosom glow with love.

494 C. M.
The whole family in heaven and earth.
Eph 3:15.

Come, let us join our friends above,
Who have obtained the prize,
And on the eagle wings of love,
To joy celestial rise.

2 Let saints below in concert sing
With those to glory gone;
For all the servants of our King,
In heaven and earth are one:

3 One family—we dwell in him;
One church—above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream—
The narrow stream of death.

4 One army of the living God,
To his command we bow;
Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.

5 Even now to their eternal home
Some happy spirits fly;
And we are to the margin come,
Expecting soon to die!

6 Dear Saviour! be our constant guide;
Then, when the word is given,
Bid Jordan’s narrow stream divide,
And land us safe in heaven.

495 S. M.
Love as brethren.
1 Pet. 3:8.

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 Though often called to part,
Amid these scenes of pain;
Yet, 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.

496 S. M.
Stand fast in the Lord.
Phil. 4:1.

All you that have confessed
That Jesus is the Lord,
And to his people joined yourselves,
According to his word:

2 In Zion you must dwell,
Her altar ne’er forsake;
Must come to all her solemn feasts,
Of all her joys partake.

3 She must employ your thoughts,
And your unceasing care;
Her welfare be your constant wish,
And her increase your prayer.

4 With humbleness of mind,
Among her sons rejoice;
A meek and quiet spirit is
With God of highest price.

5 Never offend, nor grieve
Your brethren by the way;
But shun the dark abodes of strife,
Like children of the day.

6 In all your Saviour’s ways,
With willing footsteps move;
Be faithful unto death, and then
You’ll reign with him above.

497 S. M.
Let there be no divisions among you.
1 Cor. 1:10.

Let party names no more
The Christian world o’erspread,
Gentile and Jew, and bond and free,
Are one in Christ, their Head.

2 Among the saints on earth
Let mutual love be found;
Heirs of the same inheritance,
With mutual blessings crowned.

3 Thus will the church below
Resemble that above,
Where streams of pleasure ever flow,
And every heart is love.

498 7s.
Strangers and pilgrims.
1 Pet. 2:11.

Children of the heavenly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Saviour’s worthy praise,
Glorious in his works and ways.

2 Ye are traveling home to God,
In the way the fathers trod:
They are happy now—and ye
Soon there happiness shall see.

3 Shout, ye little flock, and blest;
You on Jesus’ throne shall rest:
There your seat is now prepared—
There your kingdom and reward.

4 Fear not, brethren, joyful stand
On the borders of your land;
Jesus Christ, your Father’s Son,
Bids you undismayed go on.

5 Lord, submissive make us go,
Gladly leaving all below;
Only thou our leader be,
And we still will follow thee.

499 7s.
Bond of peace.
Eph. 4:3.

Jesus, Lord, we look to thee;
Let us in thy name agree;
Show thyself the Prince of Peace;
Bid our jars for ever cease.

2 By thy reconciling love,
Every stumbling-block remove:
Each to each unite, endear;
Come, and spread thy banner here.

3 Make us of one heart and mind—
Courteous, pitiful and kind;
Lowly, meek, in thought and word—
Altogether like our Lord.

4 Let us for each other care;
Each the other’s burden bear;
To thy Church the pattern give;
Show how true believers live.

5 Free from anger and from pride,
Let us thus in God abide;
All the depths of love express—
All the hights of holiness.

6 Let us then with joy remove
To the family above;
On the wings of angels fly;
Show how true believers die.

500 8s.
Love is of God.
1 John 4:7.

Say, whence does this union arise,
Where hatred is conquered by love?
It fastens our souls with such ties,
That distance nor time can remove.

2 It can not in Eden be found,
Nor yet in a Paradise lost;
It grows on Immanuel’s ground,
And Jesus’ life’s blood it has cost.

3 My friends so endeared unto me,
Our souls so united in love;
Where Jesus is gone we shall be,
In yonder blest mansions above.

4 Why then so unwilling to part,
Since there we shall soon meet again;
Engraved on Immanuel’s heart,
At distance we can not remain.

5 And then we shall see that bright day,
And join with the angels above,
Set free from our prisons of clay,
United in Jesus’ kind love.

6 With Jesus we ever shall reign,
And all his bright glory shall see;
Then sing hallelujahs—Amen!
Amen! Even so let it be!

501 8s & 7s.
Receive ye one another.
Rom. 15:7.

Come, dear friends, we all are brethren,
Bound for Canaan’s happy land;
Come, unite and walk together,
Christ, our Leader, gives command.
Cease to boast of party merit,
Wound the cause of God no more,
Be united by his spirit;
Zion’s peace again restore.

2 Now our hand, our heart and spirit,
Here in fellowship we give;
Let us love and peace inherit,
Show the world how Christians live.
We’ll be one in Christ our Saviour,
Male and female, bond and free!
Christ is all in all for ever,
In him we shall blesséd be.

502 7s, 6 lines.
Parting friends.

When shall we all meet again?
When shall we all meet again?
Oft shall glowing hope expire,
Oft shall wearied love retire,
Oft shall death and sorrow reign,
Ere we all shall meet again.

2 Though in distant lands we sigh,
Parched beneath a hostile sky;
Though the deep between us rolls—
Friendship shall unite our souls:
And in fancy’s wide domain,
Oft shall we all meet again.

3 When the dreams of life are fled,
And its wasted lamp is dead:
When in cold oblivion’s shade,
Beauty, wealth, and fame are laid;
Where immortal spirits reign,
There may we all meet again.

503 P. M.
We shall meet no more to part.

We shall meet no more to part;
Cease thy sorrows, mourning heart!
Weary days will soon depart—
Then we may rest for ever!
When the work of life is done,
When the victor’s crown is won,
Then, immortal life begun,
We no more shall sever.
We shall meet, no more to part;
Cease thy sorrows, mourning heart!
Weary days will soon depart—
Then we may rest for ever!

2 In the house of peace and bliss,
In the world where Jesus is,
When we bid adieu to this,
Then we may love for ever.
Purified from every stain,
Through the Lamb that once was slain,
Brethren, we shall meet again,
And be parted never!

504 6s & 5s.
When shall we meet again.

When shall we meet again?
Meet ne’er to sever?
When will Peace wreathe her chain
Round us for ever?
Our hearts will ne’er repose
Safe from each blast that blows
In this dark vail of woes,
Never—no, never!

2 When shall love freely flow,
Pure as life’s river?
When shall sweet friendship glow,
Changeless for ever?
Where joys celestial thrill,
Where bliss each heart shall fill,
And fears of parting chill,
Never—no, never!

3 Up to that world of light
Take us, dear Saviour;
May we all there unite,
Happy for ever:
Where kindred spirits dwell,
There may our music swell,
And time our joys dispel,
Never—no, never!

4 Soon shall we meet again,
Meet ne’er to sever:
Soon shall Peace wreathe her chain
Round us for ever:
Our hearts will then repose
Secure from worldly woes;
Our songs of praise shall close,
Never—no, never!

505 C. P. M.
He that dwelleth in love, etc.
1 John 4:16.

O love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my wandering heart
All taken up in thee!
O may I daily live to prove
The sweetness of redeeming love,
The love of Christ to me.

2 God only knows the love of God;
O may it now be shed abroad
To cheer my fainting heart!
I want to feel that love divine;
This heavenly portion, Lord, be mine—
Be mine this better part.

3 O that I could for ever sit
With Mary at the Master’s feet!
Be this my happy choice;
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heaven on earth, be this,
To hear the Bridegroom’s voice.

4 O that I might, with happy John,
Recline my weary head upon
The blessed Redeemer’s breast!
From care, and fear, and sorrow free,
Give me, O Lord, to find in thee
My everlasting rest.

506 6s, 4s & 5s.
A parting hymn.

Peacefully, tenderly,
Here, as we part,
The farewell that lingers
Be breathed from the heart:
No place more fitting,
O house of the Lord—
Here be it spoken,
That last prayerful word.

2 Thoughtfully, carefully,
Solemn and slow!
Tears are bedewing
The path that we go;
Perils before us
We know not to-day—
Kindly and safely,
O Lord, lead the way.

3 Upwardly, steadfastly,
Gaze on that brow:
Jesus, our Leader,
Reigns conqueror now.
His steps let us follow,
His sufferings dare,
Go up to glory,
His blessedness share.

4 Patiently, cheerfully,
Up, and depart
To labor and duty
With gladness of heart;
The ransomed, with triumph,
To Zion we’ll bring,
Shouting salvation
To Jesus, our King.

507 L. M.
Pilgrim’s farewell.

Farewell, my friends, time rolls along,
Nor waits for mortal care or bliss;
I leave you here to travel on,
Till I arrive where Jesus is.
Chorus.—Farewell, farewell, farewell,
My Christian friends, farewell.

2 Farewell, my brethren in the Lord,
To you I’m bound in cords of love,
Yet we believe his gracious word,
That we ere long shall meet above.

3 Farewell, old soldiers of the cross,
You’ve struggled long and hard for heaven,
You’ve counted all things here but dross,
Fight on, the crown will soon be given.

4 Farewell, poor careless sinners, too,
It grieves my soul to leave you here.
Eternal sorrow waits for you,
O turn, and find salvation near.

508 10s & 8s.
Waiting on God.
Isaiah. 40:31.

O happy children who follow Jesus
Into the house of prayer and praise,
And join in union while love increases,
Resolved this way to spend our days:
Although we’re hated by the world and Satan,
By the flesh and such as love not God;
Yet happy moments and joyful seasons
We ofttimes find on Canaan’s road.

2 Since we’ve been waiting on lovely Jesus,
We’ve felt some strength come from above,
Our hearts have burned with holy rapture,
We long to be absorbed in love:
Let us sing praises for what is given,
And trust in God for time to come;
Sure we shall find the way to heaven;
So farewell, brethren—we’re going home.

3 And as we go let us praise our Saviour,
And pray for those who spurn his grace,
Lest they should lose love’s richest treasure,
And ne’er enjoy his smiling face.
Now here’s my hand and my best wishes,
In token of my Christian love;
In hopes with you to praise my Jesus:
So farewell, brethren,—we’ll meet above.

509 C. P. M.
Heavenward.
Col. 3:2.

Come on, my partners in distress,
My comrades in the wilderness,
Who feel your sorrows still;
A while forget your griefs and fears
And look beyond this vale of tears
To that celestial hill.

2 Beyond the bounds of time and space,
Look forward to that heavenly place,
The saint’s secure abode;
On faith’s strong eagle pinions rise,
And force your passage to the skies,
And scale the mount of God.

3 Who suffer with our Master here,
Shall there before his face appear,
And by his side sit down:
To patient faith the prize is sure;
And all that to the end endure
The cross, shall wear the crown.

510 11s.
Home.
Phil. 3:20.

’Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints,
How sweet to my soul is communion with saints;
To find at the banquet of mercy there’s room,
And feel in the presence of Jesus at home.

2 Sweet bonds, that unite all the children of peace;
And thrice blesséd Jesus, whose love can not cease;
Though oft from thy presence in sadness I roam,
I long to behold thee in glory at home.

3 While here in the valley of conflict I stray,
O give me submission and strength as my day;
In all my afflictions to thee would I come,
Rejoicing in hope of my glorious home.

4 I long, dearest Lord, in thy beauty to shine;
No more as an exile in sorrow to pine;
And in thy dear image arise from the tomb,
With glorified millions to praise thee at home.

511 S. H. M.
Ephesians 4:5.

One baptism and one faith,
One Lord below, above,
The fellowship of Zion hath
One only watchword—Love.
From different temples though it rise,
One song ascendeth to the skies.

2 Our sacrifice is One;
One priest before the throne—
The crucified, the risen Son,
Redeemer, Lord alone!
And sighs from contrite hearts that spring,
Our chief, our choicest offering.

3 O why should they who love
One gospel to unfold,
Who look for one bright home above,
On earth be strange and cold?
Why, subjects of the Prince of Peace,
In strife abide, and bitterness?

4 O may that holy prayer—
His tenderest and his last,
The utterance of his latest care
Ere to the cross he passed—
No longer unfulfilled remain,
The World’s offense, thy people’s stain!

THE LORD’S SUPPER.

512 L. M.
Glorying only in the cross.
Gal. 6:14.

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride!

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my Lord:
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3 See from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet—
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!

513 L. M.
Delight in Christ.

Jesus, thou Joy of loving hearts!
Thou Fount of Life! thou Light of men!
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to thee again.

2 Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest those that on thee call;
To them that seek thee, thou art good,
To them that find thee—All in All!

3 We taste thee, O thou Living Bread,
And long to feed upon thee still;
We drink of thee, the Fountain Head,
And thirst our souls from thee to fill.

4 Our restless spirits yearn for thee,
Where’er our changeful lot is cast;
Glad, when thy gracious smile we see,
Blest, when our faith can hold thee fast.

5 O Jesus, ever with us stay!
Make all our moments calm and bright,
Chase the dark night of sin away—
Shed o’er the world thy holy light!

514 L. M.
Soft be the gently breathing notes.

Soft be the gently breathing notes
That sing the Saviour’s dying love;
Soft as the evening zephyr floats,
Soft as the tuneful lyres above:
Soft as the morning dews descend,
While warbling birds exulting soar;
So soft to our almighty Friend
Be every sigh our bosoms pour.

2 Pure as the sun’s enlivening ray,
That scatters life and joy abroad;
Pure as the lucid orb of day,
That wide proclaims its Maker, God;
Pure as the breath of vernal skies,
So pure let our contrition be;
And purely let our sorrows rise
To him who bled upon the tree.

515 L. M.
Communion in Christ.

How pleasing to behold and see
The friends of Jesus all agree—
To sit around the sacred board
As members of one common Lord.

2 Here we behold the dawn of bliss—
Here we behold the Saviour’s grace—
Here we behold his precious blood,
Which sweetly pleads for us with God.

3 While here we sit, we would implore
That love may spread from shore to shore,
Till all the saints, like us, combine
To praise the Lord in songs divine.

4 To all we freely give our hand,
Who love the Lord in every land;
For all are one in Christ our head,
To whom be endless honors paid.

516 L. M.
Welcome to young converts.

Welcome, ye hopeful heirs of heaven,
To this rich feast of gospel love—
This pledge is but the prelude given
To that immortal feast above.

2 How great the blessing, thus to meet
According to our Saviour’s word,
And hold by faith communion sweet,
With our unseen yet present Lord.

3 And if so sweet this feast below,
What will it be to meet above,
Where all we see, and feel, and know,
Are fruits of everlasting love!

4 Soon shall we tune the heavenly lyre,
While listening worlds the song approve;
Eternity itself expire,
Ere we exhaust the theme of love.

517 L. M.
The last scenes.

’Twas on that night when doomed to know
The eager rage of every foe,
That night in which he was betrayed,
The Saviour of the world took bread;

2 And, after thanks and glory given
To him that rules in earth and heaven,
That symbol of his flesh he broke,
And thus to all his followers spoke:

3 My broken body thus I give
To you, my friends; take, eat, and live;
And oft the sacred feast renew,
That brings my wondrous love to view.

4 Then in his hands the cup he raised,
And God anew he thanked and praised;
While kindness in his bosom glowed,
And from his lips salvation flowed.

5 My blood I thus pour forth, he cries,
To cleanse the soul in sin that lies;
In this the covenant is sealed,
And heaven’s eternal grace revealed.

6 This cup is fraught with love to men;
Let all partake who love my name;
Through latest ages let it pour
In memory of my dying hour.

518 L. M.
The bread of life.

Away from earth my spirit turns—
Away from every transient good:
With strong desire my bosom burns
To feast on heaven’s diviner food.

2 Thou, Saviour, art the living bread;
Thou wilt my every want supply;
By thee sustained, and cheered, and led,
I’ll press through dangers to the sky.

3 What though temptations oft distress,
And sin assails, and breaks my peace;
Thou wilt uphold, and save, and bless,
And bid the storms of passion cease.

4 Then let me take thy gracious hand,
And walk beside thee onward still;
Till my glad feet shall safely stand
Forever firm on Zion’s hill.

519 C. M.
They came together to break bread.
Acts 20:7.

Lord, may the spirit of this feast—
The earnest of thy love—
Maintain a dwelling in our breast
Until we meet above.

2 The healing sense of pardoned sin,
The hope that never tires,
The strength a pilgrim’s race to win,
The joy that heaven inspires:

3 Still may their light our duties trace
In lines of hallowed flame,
Like that upon the prophet’s face,
When from the mount he came.

4 But if no more with kindred dear
The broken bread we share,
Nor at the banquet board appear
To breathe the grateful prayer;

5 Forget us not—when on the bed
Of dire disease we waste,
Or to the chambers of the dead,
And bar of judgment haste.

6 Forget not—thou who bore the woe
Of Calvary’s fatal tree—
Those who within these courts below
Have thus remembered thee.

520 C. M.
Remembering Christ.

If human kindness meets return,
And owns the grateful tie—
If tender thoughts within us burn
To feel a friend is nigh;

2 O, shall not warmer accents tell
The gratitude we owe
To him who died our fears to quell,
And save from endless woe?

3 While yet his anguished soul surveyed
Those pangs he would not flee,
What love his latest words displayed—
“Meet and remember me.”

4 Remember thee! thy death, thy shame,
The griefs which thou didst bear!
O memory, leave no other name
But His recorded there.

521 C. M.
Spiritual refreshment.

O God, unseen yet ever near!
Reveal thy presence now,
While we, in love that hath no fear,
Before thy glory bow.

2 Here may obedient spirits find
The blessings of thy love—
The streams that through the desert wind,
The manna from above.

3 Awhile beside the fount we stay,
And eat this bread of thine,
Then go, rejoicing, on our way,
Renewed with strength divine.

522 C. M.
Reception of members.

Come in, thou blesséd of the Lord;
Stranger nor foe art thou:
We welcome thee with warm accord,
Our friend, our brother now.

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.

4 In weal or woe, in joy or care,
Thy portion shall be ours;
Christians their mutual burdens bear;
They lend their mutual powers.

5 Come with us, we will do thee good,
As God to us hath done;
Stand but in him, as those have stood,
Whose faith the victory won.

6 And when, by turns, we pass away
As star by star grows dim,
May each, translated into day,
Be lost, and found in him.

523 C. M.
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Matt. 5:3.

Lord, at thy table we behold
The wonders of thy grace;
But most of all admire that we
Should find a welcome place.

2 What strange, surprising grace is this,
That we, so lost, have room!
Jesus our weary souls invites,
And freely bids us come!

3 Ye saints below, and hosts of heaven,
Join all your sacred powers:
No theme is like redeeming love;
No Saviour is like ours.

524 C. M.
In remembrance of me.
1 Cor. 11:24.

In memory of the Saviour’s love,
We keep the sacred feast,
Where every humble, contrite heart
Is made a welcome guest.

2 Under his banner thus we sing
The wonders of his love,
And thus anticipate by faith
The heavenly feast above.

525 C. M.
He was known of them, etc.
Luke 24:35.

Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless
Thy chosen pilgrim flock,
With manna from the wilderness,
With water from the rock.

2 Hungry and thirsty, faint and weak
(As thou when here below),
Our souls the joys celestial seek,
That from thy sorrows flow.

3 We would not live by bread alone,
But by thy word of grace—
In strength of which we travel on
To our abiding place.

4 Be known to us in breaking bread,
But do not then depart—
Saviour abide with us, and spread
Thy table in our heart.

5 Then sup with us in love divine;
Thy body and thy blood,
That living bread and heavenly wine,
Be our immortal food.

526 S. M.
You do show the Lord’s death.
1 Cor. 11:26.

Jesus, the Friend of man,
Invites us to his board;
The welcome summons we obey,
And own our gracious Lord.

2 Here we show forth his love,
Which spake in every breath,
Prompted each action of his life,
And triumphed in his death.

3 Here let our powers unite
His honored name to raise;
Let grateful joy fill every mind,
And every voice be praise.

4 One faith, one hope, one Lord
One God alone we know;
Brethren we are; let every heart
With kind affections grow.

527 S. M.
After the supper.

Now let each happy guest
The sacred concert raise,
To close the honors of the feast,
And sing the Master’s praise.

2 His condescending love
First calls our wonder forth;
He left the blesséd realms above,
To dwell with men on earth.

3 His precepts, how divine!
How suited to our state!
How bright his acts of mercy shine
His promises how great!

4 Redemption’s glorious plan,
How wondrous in our view!
The salutary source to man
Of peace and pardon too.

528 S. M.
Truly our fellowship is with the Father, etc.
1 John 1:3.

Our heavenly Father calls,
And Christ invites us near;
With both, our friendship shall be sweet,
And our communion dear.

2 God pities all our griefs:
He pardons every day;
Almighty to protect our souls,
And wise to guide our way.

3 How large his bounties are!
What various stores of good,
Diffused from our Redeemer’s hand,
And purchased with his blood!

4 Jesus, our living Head,
We bless thy faithful care;
Our Advocate before the throne,
And our forerunner there.

5 Here fix my roving heart!
Here wait my warmest love!
Till the communion be complete,
In nobler scenes above.

529 C. M.
Take this, etc.
Luke 22:17.

Jesus invites his saints
To meet around his board;
Here pardoned rebels sit, and hold
Communion with their Lord.

2 This holy bread and wine
Maintain our fainting breath,
By union with our living Lord,
And interest in his death.

3 Let all our powers be joined
His glorious name to raise;
Let holy love fill every mind,
And every voice be praise.

530 S. M.
And when they had sung a hymn, etc.
Matt. 26:30.

A parting hymn we sing,
Around thy table, Lord;
Again our grateful tribute bring,
Our solemn vows record.

2 Here have we seen thy face,
And felt thy presence here;
So may the savor of thy grace
In word and life appear.

3 The purchase of thy blood—
By sin no longer led—
The path our dear Redeemer trod
May we rejoicing tread.

4 In self-forgetting love
Be Christian union shown,
Until we join the Church above,
And know as we are known.

531 S. M.
Behold the Lamb of God.
John 1:36.

Not all the blood of beasts,
On Jewish altars slain,
Could give the guilty conscience peace,
Or wash away its stain.

2 But Christ, the heavenly Lamb,
Bears all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name
And richer blood than they.

3 My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of thine,
While like a penitent I stand,
And there confess my sin.

4 Believing, we rejoice
To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And sing his dying love.

532 S. M.
Foretastes.
Mark 14:25.

Blest feast of love divine!
’Tis grace that makes us free
To feed upon this bread and wine,
In memory, Lord, of thee!

2 That blood which flowed for sin,
In symbol here we see,
And feel the blesséd pledge within,
That we are loved of thee.

3 O, if this glimpse of love
Be so divinely sweet,
What will it be, O Lord, above,
Thy gladdening smile to meet!

4 To see thee face to face—
Thy perfect likeness wear—
And all thy ways of wondrous grace
Through endless years declare!

533 8s & 7s.
I will draw all men unto me.
John 12:32.

It is finished! Man of Sorrows!
From thy cross our frailty borrows
Strength to bear and conquer thus.

2 While extended there we view thee,
Mighty Sufferer! draw us to thee;
Sufferer victorious!

3 Not in vain for us uplifted,
Man of Sorrows, wonder-gifted!
May that sacred emblem be;

4 Lifted high amid the ages,
Guide of heroes, saints, and sages;
May it guide us still to thee!

534 7s.
The body and blood of Christ.

Bread of heaven, on thee we feed,
For thy flesh is meat indeed;
Ever let our souls be fed
With this true and living bread.

2 Vine of heaven, thy blood supplies
This blest cup of sacrifice;
Lord, thy wounds our healing give;
To thy cross we look and live.

3 Day by day with strength supplied,
Through the life of him who died,
Lord of life, O let us be
Rooted, grafted, built on thee.

535 8s & 7s.
Leaving the Lord’s table.

From the table now retiring,
Which for us the Lord hath spread,
May our souls, refreshment finding,
Grow in all things like our Head.

2 His example by beholding,
May our lives his image bear;
Him our Lord and Master calling,
His commands may we revere.

3 Love to God and man displaying,
Walking steadfast in his way,
Joy attend us in believing,
Peace from God, through endless day.

536 P. M.
It was for us.

Near the cross our station taking,
Earthly cares and joys forsaking,
Meet it is for us to mourn:
’Twas for us he came from heaven,
’Twas for us his heart was riven;
All his griefs for us were borne.

2 When no eye its pity gave us,
When there was no arm to save us,
He his love and power displayed:
By his stripes our help and healing,
By his death our life revealing,
He for us the ransom paid.

3 Jesus, may thy love constrain us,
That from sin we may refrain us,
In thy griefs may deeply grieve;
Thee our best affections giving,
To thy praise and honor living,
May we in thy glory live!

537 P. M.
My peace I give unto you.

Lamb of God! whose bleeding love
We now recall to mind,
Send thy blessing from above,
And let us mercy find;
Think on us, who think on thee;
Every burdened soul release;
O, remember Calvary,
And bid us go in peace!

2 By thine agonizing pain,
And bloody sweat, we pray—
By thy dying love to man,
Take all our sins away:
By thy passion on the tree,
Let our griefs and troubles cease:
O, remember Calvary,
And bid us go in peace!

538 8s & 7s.
Looking to Jesus.
Heb. 12:2.

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing,
Which before the cross I spend;
Life, and health, and peace possessing,
From the sinner’s dying friend.

2 Here I’ll sit, for ever viewing
Mercy streaming in his blood;
Precious drops! my soul bedewing,
Plead they now my peace with God.

3 Truly blesséd is this station,
Here unfolds his wondrous grace;
While I see divine compassion
Beaming in his lovely face.

4 Here it is I find my heaven,
While upon the cross I gaze;
Here the joy of sins forgiven
Shall inspire my songs of praise.

5 Love and grief my heart dividing,
While his feet I bathe with tears;
Constant still in faith abiding—
Hope triumphant o’er my fears.

6 Lord! in ceaseless contemplation,
Fix my trusting heart on thee,
Till I know thy full salvation,
And thy face in glory see.

539 P. M.
My meditation shall be sweet.
Psalm 104:34.

Here I sink before thee lowly,
Filled with gladness deep and holy,
As with trembling awe and wonder
On thy mighty work I ponder—
On this banquet’s mystery,
On the depths we can not see:
Far beyond all mortal sight
Lie the secrets of thy might.

2 Sun, who all my life dost brighten!
Light, who dost my soul enlighten!
Joy, the sweetest man e’er knoweth!
Fount, whence all my being floweth!
Humbly draw I near to thee;
Grant that I may worthily
Take this blesséd heavenly food,
To thy praise, and to my good.

3 Jesus, Bread of Life from heaven,
Never be thou vainly given,
Nor I to my hurt invited;
Be thy love with love requited;
Let me learn its depths indeed,
While on thee my soul doth feed;
Let me, here so richly blest,
Be hereafter, too, thy guest.

540 8s & 7s.
Whom having not seen, we love.
1 Pet. 1:8.

While in sweet communion feeding
On this earthly bread and wine,
Saviour may we see thee bleeding
On the cross to make us thine.

2 Though unseen, now be thou near us,
With the still small voice of love,
Whispering words of peace to cheer us—
Every doubt and fear remove.

3 Bring before us all the story,
Of thy life, and death of woe!
And with hopes of endless glory,
Wean our hearts from all below.

541 P. M.
To Him be glory.
Eph. 3:21.

Jesus has died for me,
Glory to God!
From sin he set me free,
Glory to God!
And, if I trust his grace,
I soon shall win the race;
Then see his lovely face,
Glory to God.

2 Soon, I shall sing above,
Glory to God!
Tell of his wondrous love,
Glory to God:
Free from all death and wrong,
Then shall my notes prolong
One loud, triumphant song,
Glory to God!

542 6s & 4s.
Christ our confidence.

My faith looks up to thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary:
Saviour divine,
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away;
O, let me, from this day,
Be wholly thine.

2 May thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart;
My zeal inspire;
As thou hast died for me,
O may my love to thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be—
A living fire.

3 While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From thee aside.

4 When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then, in love,
Fear and distress remove;
O bear me safe above—
A ransomed soul.

543 7s & 6s.
The Cross—the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:18.

I saw the cross of Jesus
When burdened with my sin;
I sought the cross of Jesus
To give me peace within;
I brought my soul to Jesus;
He cleansed it in his blood;
And in the cross of Jesus
I found my peace with God.

2 I love the cross of Jesus—
It tells what I am;
A vile and guilty creature,
Saved only through the Lamb.
No righteousness, no merit,
No beauty can I plead;
Yet in the cross I glory,
My title there I read.

3 I clasp the cross of Jesus
In every trying hour,
My sure and certain refuge,
My never-failing tower.
In every fear and conflict,
I more than conqueror am;
Living I’m safe, or dying,
Through Christ the risen Lamb.

4 Sweet is the cross of Jesus!
There let my weary heart
Still rest in peace and safety
Till life itself depart;
And then in strains of glory
I’ll sing thy wondrous power,
Where sin can never enter,
And death is known no more.

544 10s.
Communion of the body and blood of Christ.

Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand the eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon thee lean.

2 Here would I feed upon the bread of God;
Here drink with thee the royal wine of heaven;
Here would I lay aside each earthly load,
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

3 Too soon we rise; the symbols disappear;
The feast, though not the love, is passed and gone:
The bread and wine remove, but thou art here—
Nearer than ever—still my Shield and Sun.

4 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet, passing, points to the glad feast above—
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love.

545 H. M.
Believing, we rejoice.
1 Peter 1:8.

Ye saints, your music bring,
Attuned to sweetest sound,
Strike every trembling string,
Till earth and heaven resound;
The triumphs of the cross we sing;
Awake, ye saints, each joyful string.

2 The cross, the cross alone,
Subdued the powers of hell;
Like lightning from his throne
The prince of darkness fell,
The triumphs of the cross we sing,
Awake, ye saints, each joyful string.

3 The cross hath power to save
From all the foes that rise;
The cross hath made the grave
A passage to the skies;
The triumphs of the cross we sing;
Awake, ye saints, each joyful string.

546 7s, 6 lines.
The true Passover.

Once the angel started back,
When he saw the blood-stained door,
Pausing on his vengeful track,
And the dwelling passing o’er.
Once the sea from Israel fled,
Ere it rolled o’er Egypt’s dead.

2 Now our Passover is come,
Dimly shadowed in the past,
And the very Paschal Lamb,
Christ, the Lord, is slain at last.
Then with hearts and hands made meet,
Our unleavened bread we’ll eat.

3 Blesséd Victim sent from heaven,
Whom all angel hosts obey,
To whose will all earth is given,
At whose word hell shrinks away.
Thou hast conquered death’s dread strife,
Thou hast brought us light and life.

PRAYER AND SOCIAL MEETINGS.

547 L. M.
The Mercy Seat.

From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat—
’Tis found beneath the Mercy Seat.

2 There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads,
A place than all besides more sweet—
It is the blood-bought Mercy Seat.

3 There is a scene where spirits blend,
Where friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common Mercy Seat.

4 Ah! whither could we flee for aid,
When tempted, desolate, dismayed;
Or how the host of hell defeat,
Had suffering souls no Mercy Seat?

5 There! there on eagle wings we soar,
And sin and sense seem all no more,
And heaven comes down our souls to greet,
And glory crowns the Mercy Seat!

6 O let my hand forget her skill,
My tongue be silent cold and still,
This bounding heart forget to beat,
Ere I forget the Mercy Seat!

548 L. M.
This is the gate of heaven.
Gen. 28:17.

How sweet to leave the world awhile
And seek the presence of our Lord!
Dear Saviour! on thy people smile,
And come according to thy word.

2 From busy scenes we now retreat,
That we may here converse with thee:
Ah! Lord! behold us at thy feet—
Let this the “gate of heaven” be.

3 “Chief of ten thousand!” now appear,
That we by faith may see thy face:
O! grant that we thy voice may hear,
And let thy presence fill this place.

549 L. M.
For a business meeting.

Benignant God of love and power,
Be with us in this solemn hour;
Smile on our souls; our plans approve,
By which we seek to spread thy love.

2 Let each discordant thought be gone,
And love unite our hearts in one;
Let all we have and are combine
To forward objects so divine.

550 L. M.
Hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne,
Make all my wants and wishes known!
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joy I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return.
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Saviour shows his face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since he bids me seek his face,
Believe his word and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

551 L. M.
Isaiah 57:15.

Jesus, where’er thy people meet,
There they behold thy mercy-seat;
Where’er they seek thee, thou art found;
And every place is hallowed ground.

2 For thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind;
Such ever bring thee where they come,
And, going, take thee to their home.

3 Dear Shepherd of thy chosen few,
Thy former mercies here renew;
Here to our waiting hearts proclaim
The sweetness of thy saving name.

4 Here may we prove the power of prayer
To strengthen faith and banish care;
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all heaven before our eyes.

552 L. M.
There am I.
Matt. 18:20.

Where two or three, with sweet accord,
Obedient to their sovereign Lord,
Meet to recount his acts of grace,
And offer solemn prayer and praise;

2 “There,” says the Saviour, “will I be,
Amid the little company;
To them unvail my smiling face,
And shed my glories round the place.”

3 We meet at thy command, O Lord,
Relying on thy faithful word;
Be present in each waiting heart,
And strength and heavenly peace impart.

553 L. M.
No other friend can I desire.

My precious Lord, for thy dear name
I bear the cross, despise the shame;
Nor do I faint while thou art near;
I lean on thee, how can I fear?

2 No other name but thine is given
To cheer my soul in earth or heaven;
No other wealth will I require:
No other friend can I desire.

3 Yea, into nothing would I fall
For thee alone, my All in All;
To feel thy love, my only joy;
To tell thy love, my sole employ.

554 L. M.
Christ, all in all.
Col. 3:11.

O thou pure light of souls that love,
True joy of every human breast,
Sower of life’s immortal seed,
Our Saviour and Redeemer blest!

2 Be thou our guide, be thou our goal;
Be thou our pathway to the skies;
Our joy when sorrow fills the soul;
In death our everlasting prize.

555 L. M.
The tranquil hour.

Thou, Saviour, from thy throne on high,
Enrobed with light, and girt with power,
Dost note the thought, the prayer, the sigh,
Of hearts that love the tranquil hour.

2 Oft thou thyself didst steal away,
At eventide, from labor done,
In some still peaceful shade to pray,
Till morning watches were begun.

3 Thou hast not, dearest Lord, forgot
Thy wrestlings on Judea’s hills;
And still thou lovest the quiet spot
Where praise the lowly spirit fills.

4 Now to our souls, withdrawn awhile
From earth’s rude noise, thy face reveal,
And, as we worship, kindly smile,
And for thine own our spirits seal.

5 To thee we bring each grief and care,
To thee we fly while tempests lower;
Thou wilt the weary burdens bear
Of hearts that love the tranquil hour.

556 L. M.
Exhortation to prayer.

What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?

2 Prayer makes the darkened clouds withdraw;
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

3 Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian’s armor bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

4 Have you no words? Ah, think again;
Words flow apace when we complain,
And fill a fellow-creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all our care.

5 Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heaven in supplication sent,
Our cheerful song would oftener be,
“Hear what the Lord has done for me!”

557 L. M.
They that believe do enter into rest.
Heb. 4:3.

My only Saviour! when I feel
O’erwhelmed in spirit, faint, oppressed,
’Tis sweet to tell thee, while I kneel
Low at thy feet, thou art my rest.

2 I’m weary of the strife within;
Strong powers against my soul contest;
O, let me turn from self and sin,
To thy dear cross, for there is rest!

3 O! sweet will be the welcome day,
When from her toils and woes released,
My parting soul in death shall say,
“Now, Lord! I come to thee for rest.”

558 C. M.
Prayer for contentment.

Father, whate’er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at thy throne of grace,
Let this petition rise:

2 Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessings of thy grace impart,
And make me live to thee.

3 Let the sweet hope that thou art mine,
My life, and death attend;
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey’s end.

559 C. M.
Tempest-tossed.

O Jesus, Saviour of the lost,
My Rock and Hiding-place,
By storms of sin and sorrow tost,
I seek thy sheltering grace.

2 Guilty, forgive me, Lord! I cry;
Pursued by foes, I come;
A sinner, save me, or I die;
An outcast, take me home.

3 Once safe in thine almighty arms,
Let storms come on amain;
There danger never, never harms;
There death itself is gain.

4 And when I stand before thy throne
And all thy glory see,
Still be my righteousness alone
To hide myself in thee.

560 C. M.
Thy will be done.

How sweet to be allowed to pray
To God, the Holy One;
With filial love and trust to say,
“O God, thy will be done.”

2 We in these sacred words can find
A cure for every ill;
They calm and soothe the troubled mind,
And bid all care be still.

3 O let that Will which gave me breath,
And an immortal soul,
In joy or grief, in life or death,
My every wish control.

4 O, could my heart thus ever pray,
Thus imitate thy Son!
Teach me, O God, with truth to say,
Thy will, not mine, be done.

561 C. M.
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.
1 Pet 3:15.

While thee I seek, protecting Power,
Be my vain wishes stilled;
And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be filled.

2 Thy love the power of thought bestowed;
To thee my thoughts would soar;
Thy mercy o’er my life has flowed;
That mercy I adore.

3 In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see!
Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferred by thee.

4 In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,
My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.

5 When gladness wings my favored hour,
Thy love my thoughts shall fill;
Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower,
My soul shall meet thy will.

6 My lifted eye, without a tear,
The gathering storm shall see;
My steadfast heart shall banish fear;
That heart shall rest on thee.

562 C. M.
Retirement and meditation.

I love to steal awhile away
From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of setting day
In humble, grateful prayer.

2 I love in solitude to shed
The penitential tear;
And all his promises to plead,
Where none but God can hear.

3 I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore,
And all my cares and sorrows cast
On him whom I adore.

4 I love, by faith, to take a view
Of brighter scenes in heaven;
The prospect doth my strength renew,
While here by tempests driven.

5 Thus, when life’s toilsome day is o’er,
May its departing ray
Be calm as this impressive hour,
And lead to endless day.

563 C. M.
My Saviour died for me.

Thou art my hiding-place, O Lord,
In thee I fix my trust,
Encouraged by thy holy word,
A feeble child of dust.

2 I have no argument beside,
I urge no other plea,
And ’tis enough—the Saviour died,
The Saviour died for me.

3 When storms of fierce temptation beat,
And furious foes assail,
My refuge is the mercy-seat,
My hope within the vail.

4 From strife of tongues and bitter words,
My spirit flies to thee;
Joy to my heart the thought affords—
My Saviour died for me.

5 And when thy awful voice commands
This body to decay,
And life, in its last lingering sands,
Is ebbing fast away—

6 Then, though it be in accents weak,
My voice shall call on thee,
And ask for strength in death to speak—
“My Saviour died for me.”

564 C. M.
Let us draw near.
Heb. 10:22.

Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before his feet,
For none can perish there.

2 Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to thee,
And such, O Lord, am I.

3 Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed,
By war without, and fear within,
I come to thee for rest.

4 Be thou my shield and hiding-place;
That, sheltered near thy side,
I may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him, “Thou hast died.”

5 O, wondrous love, to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame,
That guilty sinners, such as I,
Might plead thy gracious name!

565 C. M.
Prayer.

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

2 Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

3 Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

4 Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And say—“Behold he prays.”

5 Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gate of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.

566 C. M.
Filled with all the fullness of God.

O Lord, I would delight in thee,
And on thy care depend;
To thee in every trouble flee,
My best, my only Friend.

2 When all created streams are dried,
Thy fullness is the same;
May I with this be satisfied,
And glory in thy name!

3 No good in creatures can be found,
But what is found in thee:
I must have all things and abound
While God is God to me.

4 O that I had a stronger faith,
To look within the vail—
To credit what my Saviour saith,
Whose word can never fail.

5 He who has made my heaven secure,
Will here all good provide:
While Christ is rich, can I be poor?
What can I want beside?

6 O Lord, I cast my care on thee;
I triumph and adore:
Henceforth my great concern shall be
To love and please thee more.

567 S. M.
Ask and it shall be given you.
Luke 11:9.

Jesus, my strength, my hope,
On thee I cast my care,
With humble confidence look up,
And know thou hearest my prayer.

2 Give me on thee to wait
Till I can all things do;
On thee, almighty to create,
Almighty to renew.

3 I want a sober mind,
A self-renouncing will,
That tramples down, and casts behind,
The baits of pleasing ill;

4 A soul inured to pain,
To hardships, grief, and loss;
Bold to take up, firm to sustain
The consecrated cross;

5 I want a godly fear,
A quick-discerning eye,
That looks to thee when sin is near,
And sees the tempter fly;

6 A spirit still prepared,
And armed with jealous care,
For ever standing on its guard,
And watching unto prayer.

568 S. M. D.
Opening prayer meeting.

It is the hour of prayer:
Draw near and bend the knee,
And fill the calm and holy air
With voice of melody!
O’erwearied with the heat
And burden of the day,
Now let us rest our wandering feet,
And gather here to pray.