HYMN CCXCVIII.
8.8.8.8
James Montgomery
On Commencing a Church and Cemetery.
Father of glory, God of grace! An house of prayer to Thee we build; Oft may the consecrated place, Be with Thy grace and glory fill'd. | Lord of the living and the dead, When here the dead and living meet, The fullness of Thy blessing shed, On all who seek Thy mercy-seat. | While those who sleep in Jesus, rest In kindred dust and ashes near, This thought--their souls in heaven are blest! The hearts of mourning friends shall cheer. | They lived by faith, in hope they died, The Cross behind their Saviour bore, And in His footsteps trod, to guide Their followers where He trod before. | 318 We live,--Oh! let the living praise The goodness that prolongs our breath; We die,--die daily; all our days Be preparation-days for death. | Come, then, that end of mortal strife, We on Christ's faithful word rely,-- "The Resurrection and the Life!" Who trust in Him shall never die. | |