466 Happy Day. L.M.

(937) Rejoicing in Entire Consecration.

Oh, happy day, that fixed my choice,

On thee, my Savior and my God!

Well may this glowing heart rejoice,

And tell its raptures all abroad.

CHO.--Happy day, happy day,

When Jesus washed my sins away;

He taught me how to watch and pray,

And live rejoicing ev'ry day!

2 Oh, happy bond, that seals my vows

To him who merits all my love!

Let cheerful anthems fill the house,

While to his altar now I move.

3 'Tis done--the great transaction's done;

I am my Lord's, and he is mine;

He drew me, and I followed on,

Rejoiced to own the call divine.

4 Now rest--my long-divided heart--

Fixed on this blissful center, rest;

Here have I found a nobler part,

Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast.

5 High Heaven, that heard the solemn vow,

That vow renewed shall daily hear,

Till, in life's latest hour, I bow,

And bless in death a bond so dear.

Philip Doddridge, 1740.

467 Happy Day. L.M.

(940) Converts Welcomed.

Come in, thou blessed of the Lord!

Enter in Jesus' precious name;

We welcome thee, with one accord,

And trust the Savior does the same.

2 Those joys, which earth cannot afford,

We'll seek in fellowship to prove,

Joined in one spirit to our Lord,

Together bound by mutual love.

3 And, while we pass this vale of tears,

We'll make our joys and sorrows known;

We'll share each other's hopes and fears,

And count a brother's case our own.

4 Once more, our welcome we repeat;

Receive assurance of our love;

Oh! may we all together meet,

Around the throne of God above.

Thomas Kelly, 1812.

468 Evan. C.M.

(983) Brotherly Love.

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,

When those who love the Lord,

In one another's peace delight,

And so fulfill his word!--

2 When each can feel his brother's sigh,

And with him bear a part;

When sorrow flows from eye to eye,

And joy from heart to heart;

3 When, free from envy, scorn, and pride,

Our wishes all above,

Each can his brother's failings hide,

And show a brother's love:

4 When love, in one delightful stream,

Through every bosom flows;

When union sweet, and dear esteem,

In every action glows.

5 Love is the golden chain, that binds

The happy souls above;

And he's an heir of heaven, that finds

His bosom glow with love.

Joseph Swain. 1791

469 Evan. C.M

.

(931) Gen. 24:31.

Come in, beloved of the Lord,

Stranger nor foe art thou;

We welcome thee with warm accord,

Our friend, our brother, now.

2 The hand of fellowship, the heart

Of love, we offer thee:

Leaving the world, thou dost but part

From lies and vanity.

3 Come with us,--we will do thee good,

As God to us hath done;

Stand but in him, as those have stood

Whose faith the victory won.

4 And when, by turns, we pass away,

And star by star grows dim,

May each, translated into day,

Be lost and found in him.

James Montgomery.

470 Evan. C.M

.

(933) Covenant Vows.

Witness, ye men and angels! now,

Before the Lord we speak;

To him we make our solemn vow,

A vow we dare not break;--

2 That, long as life itself shall last,

Ourselves to Christ we yield;

Nor from his cause will we depart,

Or even quit the field.

3 We trust not in our native strength,

But on his grace rely;

That, with returning wants, the Lord

Will all our need supply.

4 Oh! guide our doubtful feet aright,

And keep us in thy ways;

And, while we turn our vows to prayers,

Turn thou our prayers to praise.

Benjamin Beddome, 1790.

471 Dennis. S.M.

(992) Love to the Brethren.

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love!

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

2 Before our Father's throne,

We pour our ardent prayers;

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

Our comforts and our cares.

3 We share our mutual woes;

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.

4 When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;

But we shall still be joined in heart,

And hope to meet again.

5 This glorious hope revives

Our courage by the way;

While each in expectation lives,

And longs to see the day.

6 From sorrow, toil, and pain,

And sin we shall be free;

And perfect love and friendship reign

Through all eternity.

John Fawcett, 1772.

472 Dennis. S.M.

(995) Laborers in the Vineyard.

And let our bodies part--

To diff'rent climes repair;

Inseparably joined in heart

The friends of Jesus are.

2 Oh, let us still proceed

In Jesus' work below;

And following our triumphant Head,

To further conquests go.

3 The vineyard of the Lord

Before his laborers lies;

And lo! we see the vast reward

Which waits us in the skies.

4 Oh, let our heart and mind

Continually ascend,

That haven of repose to find,

Where all our labors end.

Charles Wesley

473 Dennis, S.M.

(996) Meeting After Absence.

And are we yet alive,

And see each other's face?

Glory and praise to Jesus give,

For his redeeming grace.

2 Preserved by power divine

To full salvation here,

Again in Jesus' praise we join,

And in his sight appear.

3 What troubles have we seen!

What conflicts have we passed!

Fightings without, and fears within,

Since we assembled last!

4 But out of all the Lord

Hath brought us by his love;

And still he doth his help afford,

And hides our life above.

5 Let us take up the cross,

Till we the crown obtain;

And gladly reckon all things loss

So we may Jesus gain.

Charles Wesley.

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