On Opening a Place for Social Prayer

Jesus! where'er Thy people meet,

There they behold Thy mercy seat;

Where'er they seek Thee, Thou art found,

And every place is hallow'd ground.

For Thou, within no walls confined,

Inhabitest the humble mind;

Such ever bring Thee where they come

And going, take Thee to their home.

Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few!

Thy former mercies here renew;

Her to our waiting hearts proclaim

The sweetness of Thy saving name.

Here may we prove the power of prayer,

To strengthen faith, and sweeten care;

To teach our faint desires to rise,

And bring all Heaven before our eyes.

Behold, at Thy commanding word

We stretch the curtain and the cord;

Come Thou, and fill this wider space,

And bless us with a large increase.

Lord, we are few, but Thou art near:

Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear;

Oh rend the heavens, come quickly down,

And make a thousand hearts Thine own.