"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received
the Holy Ghost."-Acts viii. 17.
I BEHOLD us, Lord, before Thee met,
Whom each bright Angel serves and fears,
Who on Thy Throne rememberest yet
Thy spotless Boyhood's quiet years,
Whose Feet the hills of Nazareth trod, 4
Who art true Man and perfect God.
2 To Thee we look, in Thee confide,
Our help is in Thine own dear Name;
For who on Jesus e'er relied
And found not Jesus still the same?
Thus far Thy love our souls hath brought,
Oh, stablish well what Thou hast wrought!
3 From Thee was our baptismal grace;
The holy seed by Thee was sown;
And now before our Father's face
We make the three great vows our own,
And ask, in Thine appointed way,
Confirm us in Thy grace to-day.
We need Thee more than tongue can speak,
'Mid foes that well might cast us down;
But thousands, once as young and weak,
Have fought the fight, and won the crown.
We ask the help that bore them through;
We trust the Faithful and the True.
So bless us with the Gift complete
By hands of Thy chief pastors given,
That awful Presence kind and sweet
Which comes in sevenfold might from
Eternal Christ, to Thee we bow: [heaven.
Give us Thy Spirit here and now. Amen.
I FATHER! Name of love and fear!
Lo! Thy children venture near;
Trembling at Thy footstool stand;
Lowly kneel beneath Thy Hand :-
2 Stand-to speak the great "I do,"
And the threefold vow renew;
Kneel to ask the Gift Divine
Sealing us for ever Thine.
3. Thine we were, before our eyes
Opened first on earth and skies;
Thine, before our lips could frame
This Thy dear and awful Name;
4 Thine, when on each infant face
Dropped the dewy pledge of grace,
Then, by Jesus' dying sign,
Marked, and claimed, and owned as
5 Through our childhood's joys and fears, Through our school-tide's passing years,
Love Divine, unchanging, free,
Called and drew our hearts to Thee.
6 Thou hast helped us; Thou hast taught
All the works Thy love hath wrought;
All our lost and evil case;
All the marvels of Thy grace.
P 7 Sinful hearts indeed and weak
Here Thy promised blessing seek;
Small our might, and strong our foe;
cres. Yet the saving Name we know.
8 In that Name our prayers we pour;
Send Thy Spirit down once more,
Let the Sevenfold gift be shed
Largely on each bending head.
9 So, with strength renewed to-day, Send us forth on life's rough way; Bound to Thee by Love's strong cords, cres. Living, dying, still our Lord's ! Amen.
(See also "RUTH," No. 62.)
"This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and
the Church."-Eph. v. 32.
I CHRIST, we come before Thee
On this happy day;
Thine all-priceless blessing
Grant us now we pray;
With this Christian bridegroom,
With this Christian bride,
Be Thou ever present,
Lord, and Life, and Guide.
2 Thou didst take our nature,
As a bride to be,
One with Thee, O Saviour,
Through eternity;
Thou didst, as a Bridegroom,
Wed Thy Church; and still
She reflects Thy glory,
Loving all Thy will.
3 Grant to Christian bridegrooms
Such true love as Thine;
Grant to brides thus married.
Like the Church to shine :
So shall life be gladness,
With Thee at their side;
All its joys and sorrows
In Thee sanctified.
F 4 For this first of blessings,
Dowry from above,
Bliss of holy marriage,
Joy of wedded love,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
Unto Thee we raise,
Heart and voice uniting,
Now our thankful praise.
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