10 m When that holy city, gleaming with its jewels, pearls and gold,

Shall descend, (cres) and in its portals all the risen saints enfold;

May we in its light eternal sing with all
the heavenly host,

Glory be to God the Father, to the Son, and
Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Bishop Chr. Wordsworth.

The Restoration of a Church.

591

We are the servants of the God of heaven and
earth, and build the house that was builded
these many years ago. Ezra v. 11.

LIFT the strain of high thanksgiving!
Tread with songs the hallowed way!
Praise our fathers' God for mercies
New to us their sons to-day:
Here they built for Him a dwelling,
Served Him here in ages past,
Fixed it for His sure possession,

Holy ground, while time shall last.

8.7.

2 m When the years had wrought their changes,
He, our own unchanging God,
Thought on this His habitation,
Looked on His decayed abode;

cres

Heard our prayers, and helped our counsels,
Blessed the silver and the gold,

ƒTill once more His house is standing
Firm and stately as of old.

3 Entering then Thy gates with praises,
Lord, be ours Thine Israel's
my 'Rise into Thy place of resting,

dim

prayer:

Shew Thy promised Presence there!'
Let the gracious word be spoken

Here, as once on Sion's height, cres 'This shall be My rest for ever, This My dwelling of delight.'

f

4 mf Fill this latter house with glory
Greater than the former knew;
Clothe with righteousness its priesthood,
Guide its choir to reverence true;
Let Thy Holy One's anointing

Here its sevenfold blessing shed;
Spread for us the heavenly Banquet,
Satisfy Thy poor with Bread.

5 Praise to Thee, Almighty Father,
Praise to Thee, Eternal Son,
Praise to Thee, all-quickening Spirit,
Ever Blessed Three in One ;
Threefold Power and Grace and Wisdom,

Moulding out of sinful clay

Living stones for that true temple

Which shall never know decay. Amen.

See also CHURCH CONSECRATION, CHORAL
FESTIVAL HYMNS, etc.

Anniversary of the Dedication of a

592

Church.

Blessed are they that dwell in Thy
house, they will be alway praising
Thee. Ps. lxxxiv. 4.

10.10.10.4.

1 mf O CHRIST! Thou Ruler of the Universe! Eternal Word! Thy Father's Offspring! hear!

Receive our vows, the anthems we rehearse,
With favouring ear.

2. Behold, O God! how, thankfully with praise,
Thy suppliants here within Thy courts re-
And at the yearly feast adoring raise [joice;
Their gladsome voice.

3 mf Right hallowed is this sacred house of

Thine!

[take; Wherein Thy servants Thine Own Body And with Thy Blood their thirst, O draught Devoutly slake! [divine! 4 m Here renovating streams the ancient stain Of sin wash out, (cres) and set the guilty free; And christen a new race of Christian men New-born to Thee.

5 my Here health to sick, to wearied souls relief,
Sight to the blind, to sin is pardon given;
Fear fleeth, and despair and pallid grief
Far hence are driven.

6

O God! we pray Thee hearken to our prayer With gracious ear, and us Thy servants guide,

eres Who celebrate with joy and holy care

This festal tide.

7 mf From life's sharp cares be all our path secure, Our days be glad, and peaceful nights bestow; [endure When earth shall perish, (dim) O may none Eternal woe! Amen.

Р

From Anglo-Saxon Hymnaries; tr. J. D. Chamber's (1857). See also CHURCH CONSECRATION, and CHORAL FESTIVAL HYMNS, etc.

593

Dedication of an Organ.

I will praise Thee and Thy faith-
fulness, O God, playing upon an
instrument of music. Ps. lxxi. 20.

1 mf ANGEL-Voices, ever singing

Round Thy throne of light,—
Angel-harps, for ever ringing,
Rest not day nor night;

8.5.8.5.8.4.3.

cres Thousands only live to bless Thee,
And confess Thee

Lord of might!

2 mf Thou, Who art beyond the farthest Mortal eye can scan!

p

mf

Can it be that Thou regardest
Songs of sinful man?

Can we feel that Thou art near us,

And wilt hear us?

Yea! we can.

3 cres Yea! we know that Thou rejoicest
O'er each work of Thine;

Thou didst ears, and hands, and voices
For Thy praise combine;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For Thy pleasure
Didst design.

4 mf Here, Great God, to-day we offer
Of Thine own to Thee;
And for Thine acceptance proffer,
All unworthily,

dim

mf Hearts and minds, and hands and voices,

cres

In our choicest

Melody.

5 Honour, glory, might, and merit,
Thine shall ever be !

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Blessed Trinity!

Of the best that Thou hast given,
Earth and heaven

Render Thee!

Also the following:

Hark! hark! the organ loudly peals

Amen.

F. Pott.

(279)

The Dedication of Church Bells.

594

Praise Him upon the well-tuned cymbals,
praise Him upon the loud cymbals. Ps.

cl. 5.

8.7.8.7.

1 RAISED between the earth and heaven, Now our bells are set on high;

In the Name of Him Who giveth

Skill, and strength, and industry. 2 mf For His praise we meekly lay them As a gift beneath His throne;

All their sweet and noblest music
Shall resound for Him alone.

3 mf Faithful men afar shall listen,
'Mid their daily toil or rest,
While the melody shall bid them
Love the Church where all are blest.