440. At the Opening of Public Worship. L.M.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.MAT. xviii. 20.

HOW sweet to leave the world awhile,
And seek the presence of our LORD!
JESUS, upon thy people smile,
And come according to thy word.

2 From busy scenes we now retreat,
That we may here converse with thee:
Oh LORD, behold us at thy feet!
Let this the "gate of heaven” be.
3 "Chief of ten thousand," now appear,
That we by faith may see thy face!
O speak, that we thy voice may bear,
And let thy presence fill this place!
4 [LORD, thou hast cast a pleasant lot
For those whom thou hast call'd thine
own;

'Tis true the world esteems them not, But thou wilt place them on thy throne. 5 Then let the worldling boast his joys! We've meat to eat he knows not of: We count his treasures worthless toys, While we possess a SAVIOUR's love.]

6 LORD, let thy people's views be clear, And let their hearts be fill'd with love: O may their light to all appear,

And prove their doctrine from above.

440.2. For the Coming of the Kingdom of Christ in its Fulness. S. M.

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations, &c. PSALM Ixvii. 1, 2, &c.

TO bless thy chosen race,
In mercy, LORD, incline;
And cause the brightness of thy face
On all thy saints to shine:

2. That so thy wondrous ways

;

May through the world be known While distant lands their tribute pay, And thy salvation own.

3 Let differing nations join

To celebrate thy fame;

Let all the world, O LORD, combine
To praise thy glorious name.

O let them shout and sing,
Dissolv'd in holy mirth;

For thou, the righteous Judge and
Shalt govern all the earth. [King,

441. Before Public Worship.

I will instruct thee and teach thee

2279 10L

shalt go; I will guide thee with mine.

xxxii. 8.

which thou PSALK

GRANT us, LORD, thy gracious presence
While we worship at thy throne;
Teach our souls important lessons,
Lessons learn'd of thee alone A
While we pray, and sing, and hear,
In the midst do thou appear:
Sin reproving;

Fear removing;

Light to all our minds impart,
Love convey to every heart.

442. The Blessedness of Public Worship. S.M.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our GOD, &c.-PSALM xlviii, 1, &c.

2

GREAT is the LORD our God, I

And let his praise be great;

He makes his churches his abode, i
His most delightful seat.

These temples of his grace,
How beautiful they stand!

I

M

The honours of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.u ref

3 In Zion God is known

2

H &

A refuge in distress; sont osH How bright has his salvation shoneH Thro' all her palaces!fvds streT

[Oft have our fathers told,

Our eyes have often seen,

How our God secures the fold,

Where his own sheep have been.]

5 In ev'ry new distress

6

We'll to his house repair;

We'll think upon his wondrous grace,
And seek deliv'rance there.

The GOD we worship now,

Will guide us till we die;

Will be our GOD while here below,
And ours above the sky.

443. The Excellency of Public Worship.

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To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.-PSALM lxiii. 2.

LORD of Hosts, how lovely fair,
E'en on earth thy temples are!
Here thy waiting people see
Much of heav'n, and much of thee.

2 From thy gracious presence flow,
Peace and joy to heal our woe;
While thy Spirit's holy fire
Warms our hearts with pure desire.

3 Here we supplicate thy throne,
Here thou mak'st thy glories known;
Here we learn thy righteous ways,
Taste thy love and sing thy praise.

4 Thus with songs of sacred joy,
We our happy lives employ;
Love, and long to love thee more,
Till from earth to heav'n we soar.

Ye have not, because ye ask not.-JAM. iv. 21°
WHAT various hind'rances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r,
But wishes to be often there?

2 Pray'r makes the dark'ned cloud withdraw,

Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings ev'ry blessing from above.

3 Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight; Pray'r makes the Christian's armour bright;

And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

4 Have you no words? Ah! think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care...

5 Were half the breath thus vainly spent, To heav'n in supplication sent,

Your cheerful song would oft ner be, "Hear what the LORD has done for me."