XVI. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. O, it is full of joy and pleasantness, The Sabbath bell, which to God's house of pray'r On God's own day his people bids repair; Aid at his throne to seek, their sins confess, To speak his praises, and his bounty bless, And hear his holy word! For with them there But grieve not thou, as if from grace divine Whom NEEDFUL cause, not choice, forbids to join Be thou in Spirit there, and doubt not thine XVII. THE CATHEDRAL. OFT on the HALLOW'D PILES, I love to gaze, From his own gifts a large and liberal nart. XVIII. CHORAL SERVICE. AND well I love the organ's notes to hear Sounding aloud thro' all the sacred pile, High altar, vaulted nave, and pillar'd aisle : Link'd with that sound if voice of anthem clear Alone, or chant alternate win the ear, Or mingled swell of many tongues; the while The rich-ton'd organ and symphonious choir XIX. THE VILLAGE CHURCH. DEAR is the ancient VILLAGE CHURCH, which rears Thou giv'st not, ENGLAND, to the tasteful eye, XX. PAROCHIAL SERVICE. AND dear it is, within the village fane To cleanse or strengthen, God hath will'd ordain; In lonely hamlet. Lift thy heart above, And prosper! He religion's costly dress Rejects not, worn in meekness, faith, and love; And he the lowlier village rites will bless. XXI. THE CHURCH'S CEREMONIAL For, far beyond thee, some again there are, Where simple neatness, modest grace, conspire To deck thy beauty to thy Sovereign's praise. XXII. THE LORD'S PRAYER. ALL thanks to Him, who taught us how to pray! So taught we beg, our heavenly Father's name, Dominion, will, may have their rightful claim, Be hallow'd, serv'd, obey'd: that He each day May give us needful food, and drive away Unkindness, danger, sin; and thus proclaim His kingdom, power, and glory. Do not blame, If, whom she knows "the life, the truth, the way," On his blest word with reverential awe And grateful faith the Church hath aye relied, And led and modell'd by his perfect law Her meek devotions! Lord, by thee supplied With light, still near the throne of grace we draw, Thy name our safeguard, and thy word our guide! XXIII. THE APOSTLES' LITURGY. IF, by the rule Apostolic, to plead For all that God holds good, and deprecate Thanks for past good with pray'r for present need; My country's Church, I join the voice to raise, And hymn of glory. Ever-varying phrase God seeks not; pleas'd, when from corruption free, And cloth'd with truth, his Church her homage pays. XXIV. PRAYER IN CHRIST'S NAME. Ask you perchance, the throne of grace before, All good on man in his Beloved's name. Who prays for aught, in CHRIST must urge the claim: Who calls on God, must by the Son adore The Father." Blessings of my Father seek, Seek in my name, and have whate'er ye need!" 1 "Thank God for all things, but your praises speak In Jesus' name!" 2 Thou, who for us didst bleed, On thee we cast us, worthless all and weak, Thy might acknowledge, and thy merits plead. XXV. DEVOUT WORSHIP. NAY, sit not there unheedful, nor profane With attitude of cold indifference God's worship! Sighs of contrite penitence, The lowly pray'r that seeks relief from pain, The Prince of glory, when our form he wore, On heaven's high King: yea, heaven's crown'd saints, The throne of God, in sign of worship fall, [before Their crowns cast off, and prostrate there adore. John xiv. 13; xvi. 23. 2 Eph. v. 20. Heb. xiii. 15. |