To Thee it is owing alone That we are permitted to sing. Assist us, we pray, to lament The sins of the year that is past; And grant that the next may be spent Far more to Thy praise than the last! 42. Another. LET hearts and tongues unite, To Him we owe our breath; He took us from the womb, Which else had shut us up in death, And proved an early tomb. When on the breast we hung, Our help was in the Lord; 'Twas He first taught our infant tongue To form the lisping word. When in our blood we lay, He would not let us die, Because His love had fix'd a day To bring salvation nigh. In childhood and in youth His eye was on us still; Though strangers to His love and truth, And prone to cross His will. And since His name we knew, How gracious has He been! Now through another year, We raise our Ebenezer here, Our lot in future years Unable to foresee, He kindly, to prevent our fears, Yea, Lord, we wish to cast II. ORDINANCES. 43. ON OPENING A PLACE FOR SOCIAL PRAYER. O LORD, our languid souls inspire, Dear Shepherd of Thy people, hear; As Thou hast given a place for prayer, Show us some token of Thy love Within these walls let holy peace, The feeling heart, the melting eye, The humbled mind bestow: And shine upon us from on high, May we in faith receive Thy word, And may the Gospel's joyful sound, 44. C. Another. JESUS, where'er Thy people meet, For Thou, within no walls confined, Such ever bring Thee where they come, Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few, Behold, at Thy commanding word, Lord, we are few, but Thou art near, 45. THE LORD'S DAY. How welcome to the saints, when press'd With six days' noise, and care, and toil, Is the returning day of rest, Which hides them from the world awhile! Now from the throng withdrawn away, All things another aspect wear. How happy if their lot is cast Where statedly the Gospel sounds! The word is honey to their taste, Renews their strength, and heals their wounds. * Isa. liv. 2. |