4 Give me, O Lord, a place
  Within thy blest abode;
Among the children of thy grace,
  The servants of my God.

     S. Stennett.

31 Hendon. 7s.

A Blessing Implored. (134)

Lord! we come before thee now;
At thy feet we humbly bow;
Oh, do not our suit disdain;
Shall we seek thee, Lord, in vain?

2 Send some message from thy word,
That may joy and peace afford;
Let thy Spirit now impart
Full salvation to each heart.

3 Comfort those who weep and mourn;
Let the time of joy return;
Those that are cast down lift up,
Strong in faith, in love, and hope.

4 Grant that those who seek may find
Thee, a God sincere and kind;
Heal the sick, the captive free,
Let us all rejoice in thee.

     William Hammond, 1745.

32 Sicily. 8s, 7s, & 4s.

Opening of Service. (137)

In thy name, O Lord! assembling,
  We, thy people, now draw near;
Teach us to rejoice with trembling;
  Speak, and let thy servants hear—­
      Hear with meekness—­
  Hear thy word with godly fear.

2 While our days on earth are lengthened,
  May we give them, Lord, to thee;
Cheered by hope, and daily strengthened,
  May we run, nor weary be,
      Till thy glory
  Without clouds in heaven we see.

3 There, in worship, purer, sweeter,
  Thee thy people shall adore;
Tasting of enjoyment greater
  Far than thought conceived before;
       Full enjoyment,
  Full, unmixed, and evermore.

     Thomas Kelly, 1809.

33 Sicily. 8s, 7s, & 4s.

Close of Service. (141)

Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing,
  Fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, thy love possessing,
  Triumph in redeeming grace;
       Oh! refresh us,
  Traveling 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.

34 Sicily. 8s, 7s, & 4s.

Plea for Parting Blessing. (139)

God of our salvation! hear us;
  Bless, oh, bless us, ere we go;
When we join the world, be near us,
  Lest we cold and careless grow. 
       Savior! keep us;
  Keep us safe from every foe.

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