470.

EBENEZER.

Doversdale-Moffat-Callcott.

L.M.

1 Our helper, God, we bless his name,
Whose love for ever is the same;
The tokens of whose gracious care
Open and crown and close the year.
2 Amidst ten thousand snares we stand,
Supported by his guardian hand;
And see, when we review our ways,
Ten thousand monuments of praise.
3 Thus far his arm hath led us on;
Thus far we make his mercy known:
And while we tread this desert land,
New mercies shall new songs demand.
4 Our grateful souls, on Jordan's shore,
Shall raise one sacred pillar more;
Then bear in his bright courts above,
Inscriptions of immortal love.

471.

FAMILY WORSHIP.

L.M.

Communion-Hamburg-Charmouth.

1 Jesus, 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 Dear 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. 5 Lord, we are few, but thou art near; Nor short thine arm, nor deaf thine ear: O rend the heavens, come quickly down, And make a thousand hearts thine own.

472.

SOCIAL PRAYER.

Wells-Pascal.

1 If 'tis sweet to mingle where
Christians meet for social prayer;
If 'tis sweet with them to raise
Holy songs of joy and praise:-
O how sweet that state must be
Where they meet eternally!

2 Saviour! may these meetings prove
Preparations for above;

6 78.

While we worship in this place,
May we go from grace to grace;
Till we, each in his degree,
Fit for endless glory be.

473.

DOMESTIC DEVOTION.

C. M.

Oxford-Bremen1-Prestwich.

1 Lord, as a family we meet,
Thy goodness to proclaim;
We wait before thy mercy-seat,
And plead the Saviour's name.

2 Weary and faint, by cares oppressed,
We still are travelling on

To that bright land of peace and rest,
Where our Forerunner's gone.

3 Grant us thy cheering grace, O Lord,
Thy mercy freely give;

Speak by thy Spirit and thy Word,
That we may hear and live.

4 Pardoned, accepted, reconciled,

Through Christ's atoning blood; May each one feel himself a child Of thee, our Father, God.

474.

C. M.

THE TENT AND THE ALTAR.
Huntingtower-St. Ann's-Harlow.

1 Great God, where'er we pitch our tent, Let us an altar raise;

And there with humble frame present
Our sacrifice of praise.

2 To thee we give our health and strength,
While health and strength shall last;
For future mercies humbly trust,
Nor e'er forget the past.

475. THE CHURCH IN THE HOUSE.

Calvin-Stourbridge-Beethoven.

1 A church and family in one!
Ah say, what more can heaven be?
Jesus, thou art the corner-stone
That binds this blessed unity.

2 O be this family thy church,
To all its members be the Head;
Try us-

L. M.

-thou knowest all,-and search, Lest named to live, we still be dead. 3 Relations such as these enhance Each other, till, like things above, Life is a holy ordinance;

Our board a sacrament of love.

4 Baptize this household with thy grace, Its banquet spread with heavenly food; As in a temple show thy face,

And be thy visits oft renewed.

5 Church in the midst of thee we'll sing, And thee, our home, will sanctify; At once to hearth and altar cling, Till both we leave for worlds on high. 6 Church of the first-born writ in heaven, Ye with your Lord are now at home; To you is the fulfilment given,

Ours is the pledge to you we come.

476.

TWO OR THREE GATHERED

TOGETHER.

Soldau-St. Ambrose2-Mainzer.

L.M.

1 Where two or three, with sweet accord, Obedient to their sovereign Lord, Meet to recount his acts of grace, And offer solemn prayer and praise: 2 There, says the Saviour, will I be Amid that little company;

To them unveil my smiling face,
And shed my glories round the place.
3 We meet at thy command, dear Lord,
Relying on thy faithful word:

Now send thy Spirit from above;
Now fill our hearts with heavenly love.