2 Here as in their due succession
Stone on stone the workmen place,
Thus, we pray, unseen but surely,
Jesus, build us up in grace;
Till, within these walls completed,
We complete in Thee are found;
And to Thee, the one Foundation,
Strong and living stones, are bound.
3 Fair shall be Thine earthly temple:
Here the careless passer-by
Shall bethink him, in its beauty,
Of the holier House on high;
Weary hearts and troubled spirits
Here shall find a still retreat;
Sinful souls shall bring their burden
Here to the Absolver's feet.
4 Yet with truer, nobler beauty,
Lord, we pray, this house adorn, Where Thy Bride, Thy Church redeemed, Robes her for her marriage morn;
Clothed in garments of salvation,
Rich with gems of heavenly grace,
Spouse of Christ, arrayed and waiting
Till she may behold His face.
5 Here in due and solemn order
May her ceaseless pray'r arise;
Here may strains of holy gladness
Lift her heart above the skies;
Here the word of life be spoken;
Here the child of God be sealed;
Here the Bread of Heav'n be broken,
"Till He come," Himself revealed.
6 Praise to Thee, O Master-Builder,
Maker of the earth and skies;
Praise to Thee, in whom Thy temple
Fitly framed together lies;
Praise to Thee, eternal Spirit,
Binding all that lives in one:
Till our earthly praise be ended,
And th' eternal song begun!
Rev. John Ellerton, 1871.
And yet vouchsafes, in Christian lands, To dwell in tem-ples made by hands;
2 Grant that all we, who here to-day
Rejoicing this foundation lay,
May be in very deed Thine own,
Built on the precious Corner-stone.
3 Endue the creatures with Thy grace,
That shall adorn Thy dwelling-place;
The beauty of the oak and pine,
The gold and silver, make them Thine.
4 To Thee they all belong; to Thee
The treasures of the earth and sea;
And, when we bring them to Thy throne,
We but present Thee with Thine own.
5 The heads that guide endue with skill,
The hands that work preserve from ill,
That we, who these foundations lay,
May raise the topstone in its day.
6 But now and ever, Lord, protect
The temple of Thine own elect;
Be Thou in them, and they in Thee,
O ever-blessed Trinity!
Dedication of a Church.
Rev. John M. Neale, 1844.
Accept the walls that hu - man hands Have raised to wor
2 Lord, from Thine inmost glory send,
Within these walls t'abide,
The peace that dwelleth without end
Serenely by Thy side.
3 May erring minds, that worship here,
Be taught the better way;
And they who mourn, and they who fear,
Be strengthened as they pray.
4 May faith grow firm, and love grow warm,
And pure devotion rise,
While, round these hallowed walls, the storm
Of earth-born passion dies.
William Cullen Bryant, 1820.
817 SICILIAN MARINERS HYMN. 8. 7. 8. 7. 8. 7.
Christ is made the sure Foundation, Christ the Head and Corner-stone; 1.{Chos- en of precious, Binding all the Church in one;
1. Raised be- tween the earth and heaven, Now our bells are
In the Name of Him who giv - eth, Skill, and strength, and in- dus - try.
5 Praise to Thee, almighty Father,
Praise to Thee, eternal Son,
Praise to Thee, all-quick'ning Spirit,
Ever blessed Three in One:
Threefold Pow'r and Grace and Wisdom,
Molding out of sinful clay,
Living stones for that true temple
Which shall never know decay.
Rev. John Ellerton, 1869.
820 EIN FESTE BURG, 8. 7. 8. 7. 6. 6. 6. 6. 7.
Hark! hark! the or- gan loudly peals, Our thankful hearts in
sing our great Cre - a-tor's praise, Both rich and poor u
Ye heav'ns and earth, rejoice! And ev'ry heart and voice Your joy-ous
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