Before or After Meat.
LORD, we would praise Thy tender care,
Which does our daily bread prepare;
O bless us still with earthly good,
And feed our souls with heavenly food!
PRAISE Him whose goodness shines below, Whose glory lights the realms above; Praise Him from whom all mercies flow, Source of eternal life and love!
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Be honour, praise, and glory given,
By all on earth, and all in heaven.
MAY we be taught to praise the Lord,
The Father, Spirit, and the Word!
May we on earth His mercy prove,
And rise to heaven to sing His love!
PRAISE God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
HYMNS FOR TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
THE mite my willing hands can give,
At Jesus' feet I lay :
Grace shall the humble gift receive,
Abounding grace repay.
1 My gracious Lord, I own Thy right
To every service I can pay;
And call it my supreme delight
To hear Thy dictates, and obey.
2 What is my being but for Thee,
Its sure support, its noblest end?
Thy ever-smiling face to see
And serve the cause of such a Friend.
3 His work my hoary age shall bless,
When youthful vigour is no more;
And my last hour of life confess
His love hath animating power.
1 Now, gracious Spirit, from above
Look down and bless our work of love;
Help us our weakness to confess,
And look to Thee for rich success.
2 Upon our youthful charge look down,
And our poor efforts sweetly crown;
The power, dear Lord, is all Thine own,
And be the glory Thine alone!
1 BE ours the bliss in wisdom's way To guide untutored youth;
And show the mind which went astray
The Way, the Life, the Truth.
2 Thy Spirit, Lord, upon us shed,
To bless this good design;
The honours of Thy Name be spread,
And be the glory Thine.
384 Instruction of Children.
I LET children hear the mighty deeds
Which God performed of old;
Which in our younger years we saw,
And which our fathers told.
2 He bids us make His glories known,
His works of power and grace;
And 'tis our happy privilege
To teach the rising race.
Supplication.
1 As teachers of the rising race,
O Lord, we supplicate Thy grace;
Assured that all our toil is vain,
Unless we heavenly influence gain.
2 But if Thy blessing Thou impart,
The shades of error will depart,
And night's dark shadows flee away
Before the glorious orb of day.
386 Sowing and Increase.
1 GREAT God, our feeble efforts own,
And crown our labours with success !
Grant that the seed in weakness sown
May soon be raised in righteousness.
2 On babes and children mercy show,
And let their souls before Thee live ;
For we may plant and water too,
But Thou alone canst increase give.
3 Seal our instructions on each heart,
And teach them to observe Thy ways;
Teach them to choose the 'better part,'
And serve Thee in their youthful days.
4 Then we and they, when time shall end,
Shall joyful meet Thee in the sky;
Before Thy gracious footstool bend,
And praise Thee to eternity.
1 GREAT God, while we surround Thy throne,
And joint petitions heavenward rise,
Our mingled supplications own,
Perfumed by Jesus' sacrifice.
2 Spirit Divine, Thy holy fire
Diffuse through every waiting breast
Our various energies inspire,
And be our labours largely blest.
1 DEAR Jesus, whose servants we are, Look down on our labour of love; Drive pride and presumption afar,
And make us what Thou wilt approve ;
Give hearts full of pity divine,
With eyes that look only to Thee;
Give feet which shall always incline
To walk where Thy footsteps we see.
2 Give hands that shall gladly unite
In all Thou hast called us to do;
And may we, with growing delight,
The track of our Master pursue:
And when our short course shall be run,
And we are removed to our rest,
May we hear the glad sentence, 'Well done!'
And so be eternally blest.
1 Now, gracious Lord, we lift our eyes
To where our expectation lies;
We now our work to Thee resign,
And humbly wait to witness Thine.
2 "Tis Thine alone to truly bless,
To crown our efforts with success,
To own instruction we have given,
To guide through life, and lead to heaven.
3 Teach us to take our proper seat,
Disciples at the Saviour's feet;
And watchful, prayerful, gain from thence
What we to others may dispense.
Promised Blessing.
1 GOD of union, God of love!
With Thy sanctifying power,
From the realms of light above,
Bless us in this solemn hour.
2 Bless our tender charge! impart
What shall most to Thee incline;
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