5. Then, when their work is finished here,
In humble hope their charge resign.
When the Chief Shepherd shall appear,
O God, may they and we be Thine!

667.

668.

I.

I.

James Montgomery.

Meeting of Ministers.

OUR

UR Father Thou! in joyful trust
Thy servants gather here,

And worship Thee, O Pure and Just,
With love that casts out fear.

2. One by the tie of brotherhood,
We bow in grateful prayer ;
One people, work, and daily life,
Held in Thy constant care.

3. With all our varying shades of thought,
One Lord, one faith, we own,
Build as we may, with differing gifts,
On Christ, the Corner-stone.

4. To Thee are known our spirits' needs;
And, whether large or small,
We lift to Thee our several cups,
And Thou dost fill them all.

5. Lord, grant that we take with us home
New knowledge of life's scope,
Still readier will for kindest deeds,
Still larger trust and hope!

The Dedication of a Church.

ALL things are Thine: no gift have we,

Lord of all gifts, to offer Thee;

C.M.

L.M.

And hence with grateful hearts to-day,
Thy own before Thy feet we lay.

2. Thy will was in the builders' thought;
Thy hand unseen amidst us wrought;
Through mortal motive, scheme, and plan,
Thy wise eternal purpose ran.

3. In weakness and in want we call

On Thee for whom the heavens are small;
Thy glory is Thy children's good,
Thy joy Thy tender Fatherhood.

4. O Father! deign these walls to bless ;
Fill with Thy love their emptiness:
And let their door a gateway be
To lead us from ourselves to Thee!

669.

I.

J. G. Whittier.

The Dedication of a Church.

GOD, accept the gift we bring,

This house of prayer at last complete;

Now as a grateful offering

We gladly lay it at Thy feet.

2. All was Thine own ere it was ours,
And since 'tis ours 'tis Thine the more,
For we are Thine, and all our powers,
O Thou, our Life, whom we adore.

3. Long be these walls a loving home,

Where rich and poor shall brothers be ;
Where strife and envy may not come;
Where all may dwell in charity.

4. Long be this spot a sacred place,

L.M.

Where burdened hearts shall meet to pray,

Look upward to a Father's face,

And find their burdens melt away.

5. This church we dedicate to Light,

To Light of Truth, and Light of Love,
To Hope, to Faith, to Prayer, to Right,
To man on earth, to God above.

WITH

We bid our brethren go;
Peace, as a river to increase,
And ceaseless flow.

2. With the calm word of prayer
We earnestly commend

Our brethren to Thy watchful care,
Eternal Friend!

3. With the dear word of love

We give our brief farewell;
Our love below and Thine above,
With them shall dwell.

4. With the strong word of faith
We stay ourselves on Thee :

That Thou, O Lord, in life and death,
Their help shalt be.

5. Then the bright word of hope
Shall on our parting gleam,
And tell of joys beyond the scope
Of earth-born dream.

6. Farewell! in hope and love,

In faith, and peace, and prayer;
Till He, whose home is ours above,
Unite us there!

G. Watson.

671.

I.

Benediction.

7.6.7.6.

HE Lord God bless and keep thee,

THE

And make His face to shine

Upon thee, till His glory

Reflected is in thine.

2. The Lord be gracious to thee;
Thy daily needs supply;
Sustain thee when way-weary,
Nor let thy cruse run dry.

3. His countenance upon thee
The Lord lift up, and give
Thee peace through all thy journey,
And all thy past forgive.

4. And be His love thy solace,

Thy never-failing store;

The perfect rest of perfect peace
Be thine for evermore.

Benediction.

J. B. Greenwood.

8.7.8.7.4.7.

1. GOD be with thee! Gently o'er thee
May His wings of mercy spread;

Be His way made plain before thee,
And His glory round thee shed!
Safely onward

May thy pilgrim feet be led !

2. God be with thee! With thy spirit
His abiding presence be,

Till thy heart that peace inherit

God alone can give to thee!

His indwelling

Help, and heal, and set thee free.

672.

I.

Theodore C. Williams.

673.

I.

Holy Communion.

Humble Confession.

IO.IO.IO.IO.

NOT worthy, Lord, to gather up the crumbs,

With trembling hand that from Thy table fall; A weary, heavy-laden sinner comes

To plead Thy promise and obey Thy call. 2. I am not worthy to be thought Thy child,

Nor sit the last and lowest at Thy board;
Too long a wanderer and too oft beguiled,
I only ask one reconciling word.

3. My praise can only breathe itself in prayer,
My prayer can only lose itself in Thee :
Dwell Thou for ever in my heart, and there,
Lord! let me sup with Thee; sup Thou with me.

E. H. Bickersteth.

674.

I.

TH

HOU art the Bread of heaven, on Thee we feed ;
Be near to help our souls in time of need.

2. Thou art the mourner's stay, the sinner's Friend,
Sweet fount of joy and blessings without end.
3. Oh, come and cheer us with Thy heavenly grace,
Reveal the brightness of Thy glorious face.

4. In cooling cloud by day, in fire by night,

Be near our steps, and make our darkness light.

5. Go where we go, abide where we abide,

In life, in death, our comfort, strength, and guide.

6. Oh, lead us daily, with Thine eye of love, And bring us safely to our home above.

Thomas R. Birks.