EIGN this union to approve,
1 DEIG And confirm it, God of love,
Bless Thy servants; on their head
Now the oil of gladness shed;
In this nuptial bond to Thee
Let them consecrated be.
2 In prosperity, be near,
To preserve them in Thy fear;
In affliction, let Thy smile
All the woes of life beguile :
And when every change is past,
Take them to Thyself at last.
William Bengo Collyer, 1837.
INCE Jesus freely did appear,
Το grace a marriage feast,
O Lord, we ask Thy presence here,
To make a wedding-guest.
2 Upon the bridal pair look down,
Who now have plighted hands;
Their union with Thy favour crown,
And bless their nuptial bands.
3 With gifts of grace their hearts endow,
Of all rich dowries best;
Their substance bless, and peace bestow
To sweeten all the rest.
4 In purest love their souls unite,
That they with Christian care,
May make domestic burdens light,
By taking mutual share.
ATHER of the human race,
Sanction with Thy heavenly grace
What on earth hath now been done,
That these twain be truly one.
2 One in sickness and in health,
One in poverty and wealth,
And, as year rolls after year,
Each to other still more dear.
3 One in purpose, one in heart,
Till the mortal stroke shall part;
One in cheerful piety,
One for ever, Lord, with Thee.
William Bengo Collyer, 1837.
DISMISSION.
"Show me a Token for Good."
GRANTS, Lve before we part;
Ꮐ Of Thy love before we part;
RANT us, Lord, some gracious token
Crown Thy Word which has been spoken,
Life and peace to each impart!
And all blessings
Which shall sanctify the heart.
Thomas Kelly, 1804;
John Rippon, 1829.
"I will not let Thee go except Thou
NOD of our salvation, hear us;
Bless, oh bless us, ere we go;
When we join the world, be near us,
Lest Thy people careless grow:
Saviour, keep us,
Keep us safe from every foe.
2 As our steps are drawing nearer
To our best and lasting home,
May our view of heaven grow clearer,
Hope more bright of joys to come;
And when dying,
May Thy presence cheer the gloom.
Thomas Kelly, 1815.
Hymn and Chorus at Parting.
1OME, brethren, ere we part,
Bless the Redeemer's name;
Join every tongue and heart,
To adore and praise the Lamb.
Jesus, the sinner's Friend,
Him whom our souls adore,
His praises have no end;
Praise Him for evermore.
2 Lord, in Thy grace we came,
That blessing still impart;
We met in Jesu's name,
In Jesu's name we part.
3 If here we meet no more,
May we, in realms above,
With all the saints adore
Redeeming grace and love.
Jesus, &c. Joseph Hart, 1762; Robert Hawker, 1801.
OME, Christian brethren, ere we part
Join every voice and
voice and every heart,
One solemn hymn to God we raise,
The closing song of grateful praise.
2 Christians we here may meet no more,
But there is yet a happier shore;
And there, released from toil and pain,
Dear brethren, we shall meet again.
3 And now to God, the Three in One,
Be everlasting glory done;
Raise, raise, ye saints, the sound again,
Ye nations join the loud Amen.
Henry Kirke White, 1806, a.
NCE more, before we part,
ONCE morte, the Saviour's name,
Record His mercies every heart;
Sing every tongue the same.
Hoard up His sacred word,
And feed thereon and grow;
Go on to seek to know the Lord,
And practise what you know.
1 LORD, dismiss us with Thy blasping
Fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, Thy love possessing,
Triumph in redeeming grace:
Travelling through this wilderness.
2 Thanks we give, and adoration,
For Thy gospel's joyful sound:
May the fruits of Thy salvation
In our hearts and lives abound;
May Thy presence
With us, evermore, be found!
3 So whene'er the signal's given,
Us from earth to call away,
Borne on angels' wings to heaven,
Glad the summons to obey,
We shall surely
Reign with Christ in endless day!
AY the grace of Christ our Saviour,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favour,
Rest upon us from above!
Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord;
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
NOW
[OW may the God of peace and love,
Who from th' imprisoning grave
Restored the Shepherd of the sheep,
Omnipotent to save;
2 Through the rich merits of that blood
Which He on Calvary spilt,
To make the eternal covenant sure
On which our hopes are built;
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