2 Wandering thoughts and languid powers Come not where devotion kneels : Let the soul expand her stores, Glowing with the joy she feels. 3 At the portals of thine house
We resign our earth-born cares: Nobler thoughts our souls engross, Songs of praise and fervent prayers.
1 THE offerings to thy throne which rise,
Of mingled praise and prayer,
Are but a worthless sacrifice
Unless the heart is there.
2 Upon thine all-discerning ear
Let no vain words intrude;
No tribute, but the vow sincere,
The tribute of the good.
3 My offerings will indeed be blest,
If sanctified by thee; ́
If thy pure Spirit touch my breast
With its own purity.
4 O, may that Spirit warm my heart
To piety and love,
And to life's lowly vale impart
Some rays from heaven above.
The Christian Sabbath Morning.
1 ANOTHER Six days' work is done,
Another Sabbath is begun;
Return, my soul, enjoy thy rest,
Improve the day that God hath blessed
2 O that our thoughts and thanks may rise, As grateful incense, to the skies,
And draw from heaven that sweet repose
Which none but he that feels it knows!
3 This heavenly calm within the breast
Is the dear pledge of glorious rest,
Which for the church of God remains,
The end of cares, the end of pains.
4 In holy duties let the day,
In holy pleasures, pass away;
How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend,
In hope of one that ne'er shall end!
1 SAFELY through another week
God has brought us on our way;
Let us now his blessing seek,
Waiting in his courts to-day;
Day of all the week the best
Emblem of eternal rest.
2 Mercies multiplied each hour
Through the week our praise demand: Guarded by almighty power,
Fed and guided by thy hand,
May we not forgetful be,
Nor ungrateful, Lord, to thee!
3 While we seek supplies of grace Through the dear Redeemer's name, Show thy reconciling face;
Take away our sin and shame.
From our worldly cares set free,
May we rest this day in thee!
1 O FATHER, though the anxious fear
May cloud to-morrow's doubtful way,
Nor fear nor doubt shall enter here;
All shall be thine at least to-day.
2 We will not bring divided hearts
To worship at thy sacred shrine;
But each unholy thought departs,
And leaves the temple wholly thine.
3 O Father, God below, above,
Man's noblest work is praising thee;
Thy Spirit o'er our hearts shall move,
And tune them all to harmony.
The Sabbath of the Soul. Morning.
1 SLEEP, sleep to-day, tormenting cares, Of earth and folly born!
Ye shall not dim the light that streams
From this celestial morn.
2 To-morrow will be time enough
To feel your harsh control;
Ye shall not violate this day,
The Sabbath of my soul.
3 Sleep, sleep forever, guilty thoughts!
Let fires of vengeance die;
And, purged from sin, may I behold
A God of purity!
1 WHEN before thy throne we kneel,
Filled with awe and holy fear,
Teach us, O our God, to feel
All thy sacred presence near.
2 Check each proud and wandering thought
When on thy great name we call;
Man is nought, is less than nought;
Thou, our God, art all in all.
3 Weak, imperfect creatures, we
In this vale of darkness dwell,
Yet presume to look to thee
'Midst thy light ineffable.
4 O, receive the praise that dares
Seek thy heaven-exalted throne;
Bless our offerings, hear our prayers,
Infinite and Holy One!
The Sacrifice of the Heart.
1 WHEN, as returns this solemn day,
Man comes to meet his Maker, God,
What rites, what honors shall he pay?
How spread his Sovereign's praise abroad?
2 From marble domes and gilded spires
Shall curling clouds of incense rise,
And gems, and gold, and garlands deck
The costly pomp of sacrifice?
3 Vain, sinful man! creation's Lord
Thy golden offerings well may spare:
But give thy heart, and thou shalt find
Here dwells a God who heareth prayer.
1 O LORD, 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 Great 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 sweeten care;
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all heaven before our eyes.
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