3 How changed, alas! are truths divine,
For error, guilt and shame!
What impious numbers, bold in sin,
Disgrace the Christian name!
40 turn us-turn us, mighty Lord!
Convert us by thy grace;
Then shall our hearts obey thy word,
And see again thy face.
5 Then, should oppressing foes invade,
We will not sink in fear;
Secure of all-sufficient aid,
When thou, O God, art near.
'Is it such a Fast that I have chosen?'
1 'Is this a fast for me,'
Thus saith the Lord our God,
'A day for man to vex his soul,
And feel affliction's rod ?
2 Like bulrush low to bow
His sorrow-stricken head,
With sackcloth for his inner vest,
And ashes round him spread;-
3 Shall day like this have power
To stay th' avenging hand,
Efface transgression, or avert
My judgments from the land?
4 No-is not this alone
The sacred fast I choose,一
Oppression's yoke to burst in twain,
The bands of guilt unloose ;-
5 To nakedness and want
Your food and raiment deal,-
To dwell your kindred race among,
And all their sufferings heal?
6 Then like the morning ray
Shall spring your health and light; Before you, righteousness shall shine, Behind, my glory bright!'
Laying Corner-Stone ; or Dedication.
1 THIS stone to thee in faith we lay,-
We build the temple, Lord, to thee;
Thine eye be open, night and day,
To guard this house from error free.
2 Here, when thy people seek thy face,
And dying sinners pray to live,
Hear thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place,
And when thou hearest, O forgive!
3 Here, when thy messengers proclaim
The blessed gospel of thy Son,
Still, by the power of his great name,
Be mighty signs and wonders done.
4 Hosanna! to their heavenly king
When children's voices raise that song,
Hosanna!-let their angels sing,
And heaven with earth the strain prolong.
5 But will indeed Jehovah deign
Here to abide, no transient guest?
Here will the world's Redeemer reign,
And here thy holy spirit rest?
6 That glory never hence depart!
Yet choose not, Lord, this house alone; Thy kingdom come to every heart, In every bosom fix thy throne.
Dedication of a House of Worship.
1 IN sweet exalted strains
The King of Glory praise;
O'er heaven and earth he reigns,
Through everlasting days:
He with a nod the world controls,
Sustains or sinks the distant poles.
2 To earth he bends his throne,
His throne of grace divine;
Wide is his bounty known,
And wide his glories shine:
Fair Salem, still his chosen rest,
Is with his smiles and presence blest.
3 Then, King of Glory, come,
And with thy favor crown
This temple as thy dome,
This people as thy own:
Beneath this roof, O deign to show
How God can dwell with men below!
4 Here may thine ears attend
Our interceding cries,
And grateful praise ascend,
All fragrant, to the skies:
Here may thy word melodious sound,
And spread celestial joys around!
5 Here may th' attentive throng
Imbibe thy truth and love,
And converts join the song
Of seraphim above,
And willing crowds surround thy board,
With sacred joy and sweet accord!
1 LORD of hosts! to thee we raise
Here a house of prayer and praise;
Thou thy people's heart prepare
Here to meet for praise and prayer.
2 Let the living here be fed
With thy word, the heavenly bread;
Here, in hope of glory blest,
May the dead be laid to rest.
3 Here to thee a temple stand,
While the sea shall gird the land;
Here reveal thy mercy sure,
While the sun and moon endure.
4 Hallelujah!-earth and sky
To the joyful sound reply;
Hallelujah! hence ascend
Prayer and praise till time shall end.
10 Bow thine ear, Eternal One!
On thee our heart adoring calls;
To thee the followers of thy Son
Have raised, and now devote these walls.
2 Here let thy holy days be kept;
And be this place to worship given,
Like that bright spot where Jacob slept,-
The house of God, the gate of heaven.
3 Here may thine honor dwell; and here,
As incense, let thy children's prayer,
From contrite hearts and lips sincere,
Rise on the still and holy air.
4 Here be thy praise devoutly sung;
Here let thy truth beam forth to save,
As when, of old, thy spirit hung
On wings of light o'er Jordan's wave.
5 And when the lips, that with thy name
Are vocal now, to dust shall turn,
On others may devotion's flame
Be kindled here, and purely burn.
1 GREAT Sovereign of the earth and sky, And Lord of all below!
Before thy glorious majesty
Ten thousand seraphs bow.
2 Yet thou art not confined above;
Thy presence knows no bound;
Where'er thy praying people meet,
There thou art always found.
3 Behold a temple raised for thee;
O meet thy people here;
Here, O thou King of saints, reside,
And in thy church appear.
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