  1300L. M. How much less this house. The perfect world, by Adam trod, Was the first temple built to God; His fiat laid the corner-stone, And heaved its pillars one by one. 2 He hung its starry roof on high— The broad, illimitable sky; He spread its pavement, green and bright, And curtained it with morning light. 3 The mountains in their places stood, The sea—the sky—and “all was good;” And when its first few praises rang, The “morning stars together sang.” 4 Lord, ’tis not ours to make the sea, And earth, and sky, a house for thee; But in thy sight our offering stands— An humbler temple, “made with hands.” 5 We can not bid the morning star To sing how bright thy glories are; But, Lord, if thou wilt meet us here, Thy praise shall be the Christian’s tear. 1301H. M. Peace be within thy walls. In sweet, exalted strains, The King of glory praise; O’er heaven and earth he reigns, Through everlasting days; Beneath this roof, O deign to show How God can dwell with men below. 2 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 the joys of heaven around. 3 Here may the 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. 4 Here may our unborn sons And daughters sound thy praise, And shine like polished stones Through long-succeeding days; Here, Lord! display thy saving power, While temples stand, and men adore. 1302L. M. He called the name of that place Bethel. O 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! 1303C. M. In his temple we speak of his glory. O thou whose own vast temple stands Built over earth and sea, Accept the walls that human hands Have raised to worship thee. 2 Lord, from thine inmost glory send, Within these courts to bide, The peace that dwelleth, without end, Serenely by thy side. 3 May erring minds, that worship here, Be taught the better way; And they who mourn, and they who fear, Be strengthened as they pray. 4 May faith grow firm, and love grow warm, And pure devotion rise, While round these hallowed walls the storm Of earth-born passion dies. 13047s. Make them joyful in my house of prayer. Lord of hosts, to thee we raise Here a house of prayer and praise! Thou thy people’s hearts 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. |
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