547 L. M. The Mercy Seat.
From every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat— ’Tis found beneath the Mercy Seat.
2 There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads, A place than all besides more sweet— It is the blood-bought Mercy Seat.
3 There is a scene where spirits blend, Where friend holds fellowship with friend; Though sundered far, by faith they meet Around one common Mercy Seat.
4 Ah! whither could we flee for aid, When tempted, desolate, dismayed; Or how the host of hell defeat, Had suffering souls no Mercy Seat?
5 There! there on eagle wings we soar, And sin and sense seem all no more, And heaven comes down our souls to greet, And glory crowns the Mercy Seat!
6 O let my hand forget her skill, My tongue be silent cold and still, This bounding heart forget to beat, Ere I forget the Mercy Seat!
548 L. M. This is the gate of heaven. Gen. 28:17.
How sweet to leave the world awhile And seek the presence of our Lord! Dear Saviour! on thy people smile, And come according to thy word.
2 From busy scenes we now retreat, That we may here converse with thee: Ah! Lord! behold us at thy feet— Let this the “gate of heaven” be.
3 “Chief of ten thousand!” now appear, That we by faith may see thy face: O! grant that we thy voice may hear, And let thy presence fill this place.
549 L. M. For a business meeting.
Benignant God of love and power, Be with us in this solemn hour; Smile on our souls; our plans approve, By which we seek to spread thy love.
2 Let each discordant thought be gone, And love unite our hearts in one; Let all we have and are combine To forward objects so divine.
550 L. M. Hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer, That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne, Make all my wants and wishes known! In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joy I feel, the bliss I share, Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return. With such I hasten to the place Where God my Saviour shows his face, And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear To him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless; And since he bids me seek his face, Believe his word and trust his grace, I’ll cast on him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
551 L. M. Isaiah 57:15.
Jesus, where’er thy people meet, There they behold thy mercy-seat; Where’er they seek thee, thou art found; And every place is hallowed 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 banish care; To teach our faint desires to rise, And bring all heaven before our eyes.
552 L. M. There am I. Matt. 18:20.
Where two or three, with sweet accord, Obedient to their sovereign Lord, Meet to recount his acts of grace, And offer solemn prayer and praise;
2 “There,” says the Saviour, “will I be, Amid the little company; To them unvail my smiling face, And shed my glories round the place.”
3 We meet at thy command, O Lord, Relying on thy faithful word; Be present in each waiting heart, And strength and heavenly peace impart.
553 L. M. No other friend can I desire.
My precious Lord, for thy dear name I bear the cross, despise the shame; Nor do I faint while thou art near; I lean on thee, how can I fear?
2 No other name but thine is given To cheer my soul in earth or heaven; No other wealth will I require: No other friend can I desire.
3 Yea, into nothing would I fall For thee alone, my All in All; To feel thy love, my only joy; To tell thy love, my sole employ.
554 L. M. Christ, all in all. Col. 3:11.
O thou pure light of souls that love, True joy of every human breast, Sower of life’s immortal seed, Our Saviour and Redeemer blest!
2 Be thou our guide, be thou our goal; Be thou our pathway to the skies; Our joy when sorrow fills the soul; In death our everlasting prize.
555 L. M. The tranquil hour.