Opening Places for Worship

1017 Opening or Enlargement

1 JESUS, where'er Thy people meet, There they behold Thy mercy-seat:

Where'er they seek Thee, Thou art found, And every place is hallow'd ground.

2 For Thou within no walls confined, Inhabitest the humble mind;

Such ever bring Thee where they come, And going, take Thee to their home.

3 Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few, Thy former mercies here renew;

Here, to our waiting hearts, proclaim The sweetness of Thy saving name.

4 Here may we prove the power of prayer To strengthen faith, and sweeten care: To teach our faint desires to rise, And bring all heaven before our eyes.

5 Behold at Thy commanding word, We stretch the curtain and the cord:

Come Thou, and fill this wider space, And bless us with a large increase.

5 Lord, we are few, but Thou art near; Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear;

Oh rend the heavens, come quickly down, And make a thousand hearts Thine own!

William Cowper, 1779

1018 Dedication of the House

1 SPIRIT of glory and of grace, Thy favour we entreat;

Thou true Shekinah of the place Where true disciples meet.

2 Oh! let the labour of our hands Be precious in Thy sight; And long as this our temple stands, Thy presence be its light.

3 Here float the gospel's banner wide O'er faithful hearts and brave; And here, O Jesus crucified, Come forth in power to save!

Joseph Tritton, 1861..

1019 "The Glory of the Lord filled the House."

1 LIGHT up this house with glory, Lord, Enter and claim Thine own;

Receive the homage of our souls, Erect Thy temple-throne.

2 We rear no altar—Thou hast died;

We deck no priestly shrine;

What need have we of creature aid? The power to save is Thine.

3 We ask no bright shekinah-cloud To glorify the place;

Give, Lord, the substance of that sign— A plenitude of grace.

4 No rushing, mighty wind, we ask; No tongues of flame desire;

Grant us the Spirit's quickening light, His purifying fire.

5 Light up this house with glory, Lord; The glory of that love Which forms and saves a church below, And makes a heaven above.

John Harris, 1859.

1020Opening a Place of Worship

1 GREAT King of Zion, now Display Thy matchless grace; In love the heavens bow, With glory fill this place:

Beneath this roof, oh 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 celestial joys around.

3 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.

4 Here may our unborn sons And daughters sound Thy praise, And shine, like polish'd stones, Through long succeeding days;

Here, Lord, display Thy saving power, Until the last triumphant hour.

Benjamin Francis, 1787;

Charles H. Spurgeon, 1866

1021 Thankfulness for the House

1 SING to the Lord with heart and voice Ye children of His sovereign choice. The work achieved, the temple raised, Now be our God devoutly praised.

2 For all the treasure freely brought, For all the toil in gladness wrought, For warmth of zeal, and purpose strong, Wake we to-day the thankful song.

3 Lord of the temple! once disown'd, But now in worlds of light enthroned Thy glory let Thy servants see, Who dedicate this house to Thee.

4 Be Thy dear name, like ointment, shed O'er every soul, on every head;

Make glorious, O our Saviour King, The place where thus Thy chosen sing.

5 More grand the temple, and the strain More sweet, when we Thy heaven shall gain, And bid, for realms where angels dwell, Thy courts on earth a glad farewell!

Joseph Tritton, 1861

1022

Re-opening

1 O GOD, before whose radiant throne The heavenly armies bend, Now graciously incline Thine ear, And to our suit attend.

2 Where our forefathers join'd in praise, We meet to praise Thy name, Where they Thy faithful promise proved, We find Thee still the same.

3 This house, these walls re-edified, Are raised, Lord, for Thee; In all the plenitude of grace, In this assembly be.

4 Here may the dead be made alive, Backsliding souls return;

More grace by gracious souls be felt, And saints like seraphs burn.

5 Here build Thy church, maintain Thy cause, Nor let it e'er decline; But flourish till the Lord descends In majesty divine.

John Rippon, 1810;

Charles H. Spurgeon, 1866.