Dismission

1047 "Show me a Token for Good."

GRANT us, Lord, some gracious token Of Thy love before we part;

Crown Thy Word which has been spoken, Life and peace to each impart! And all blessings Which shall sanctify the heart.

Thomas Kelly, 1804;

John Rippon, 1829

1048 "I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me."

1 GOD of our salvation, hear us;

Bless, oh bless us, ere we go: When we join the world, be near us, Lest Thy people careless grow:

Saviour, keep us, Keep us safe from every foe.

2 As our steps are drawing nearer To our best and lasting home, May our view of heaven grow clearer, Hope more bright of joys to come; And when dying, May Thy presence cheer the gloom.

Thomas Kelly, 1815.

1049 Hymn and Chorus at Parting.

1 COME, brethren, ere we part, Bless the Redeemer's name;

Join every tongue and heart, To adore and praise the Lamb.

Jesus, the sinner's Friend, Him whom our souls adore, His praises have no end;

Praise Him for evermore.

2 Lord, in Thy grace we came, That blessing still impart;

We met in Jesu's name, In Jesu's name we part.

Jesus, &c.

3 If here we meet no more, May we, in realms above, With all the saints adore Redeeming grace and love.

Jesus, &c.

Joseph Hart, 1762;

Robert Hawker, 1801.

1050

Dismission

1 COME, Christian brethren, ere we part Join every voice and every heart, One solemn hymn to God we raise, The closing song of grateful praise.

2 Christians, we here may meet no more, But there is yet a happier shore; And there, released from toil and pain, Dear brethren, we shall meet again.

3 And now to God, the Three in One, Be everlasting glory done;

Raise, raise, ye saints, the sound again;

Ye nations join the loud Amen.

Henry Kirke White, 1805, a.

1051

Parting

1 ONCE more, before we part, We'll bless the Saviour's name, Record His mercies every heart;

Sing every tongue the same.

2 Hoard up His sacred word, And feed thereon and grow;

Go on to seek to know the Lord, And practise what you know.

Joseph Hart, 1762

1052 At Dismission

1 LORD, dismiss us with Thy blessing, Fill our hearts with joy and peace;

Let us each, Thy love possessing, Triumph in redeeming grace:

O refresh us!

Travelling through this wilderness.

2 Thanks we give, and adoration, For Thy gospel's joyful sound: May the fruits of Thy salvation In our hearts and lives abound May Thy presence With us, evermore, be found!

3 So whene'er the signal's given, Us from earth to call away, Borne on angel's wings to heaven, Glad the summons to obey,

We shall surely Reign with Christ in endless day!

Walter Shirley, 1774

1053 The Benediction

MAY the grace of Christ our Saviour And the Father's boundless love, With the Holy Spirit's favour, Rest upon us from above!

Thus may we abide in union With each other and the Lord; And possess, in sweet communion, Joys which earth cannot afford.

John Newton, 1779

1054

Benediction

1 NOW may the God of peace and love Who from th' imprisoning grave Restored the Shepherd of the sheep, Omnipotent to save;

2 Through the rich merits of that blood Which He on Calvary spilt, To make the eternal covenant sure On which our hopes are built;

3 Perfect our souls in every grace, To accomplish all His will, And all that's pleasing in His sight Inspire us to fulfil!

4 For the great Mediator's sake, We for these blessings pray; With glory let His name be crown'd Through heaven's eternal day!

Thomas Gibbons, 1769