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.

_Laborers in the Vineyard._ (995)

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.

_Meeting After Absence._ (996)

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 pa.s.sed!

Fightings without, and fears within, Since we a.s.sembled 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.

474 Rockingham. L.M.

_The Likeness of His Death._ (974)

How blest the hour when first we gave Our guilty souls to thee, O G.o.d; A cheerful sacrifice of love, Bought with the Savior's precious blood.

2 How blest the vow we here record!

How blest the grace we now receive!

Buried in baptism with our Lord, New lives of holiness to live.

3 How blest the solemn rite that seals Our death to sin, our guilt forgiven;-- How blest the emblem that reveals G.o.d reconciled and peace with heaven.

4 Thus through the emblematic grave The glorious, suffering Savior trod; Thou art our pattern, through the wave We follow thee, blest Son of G.o.d.

S.F. Smith.

475 Rockingham. L.M.

_The Feast of Love._ (961)

My G.o.d! and is thy table spread?

And does thy cup with love o'erflow?

Thither be all thy children led, And let them all its sweetness know.

2 Hail! sacred feast, which Jesus makes!

Rich banquet of his flesh and blood; Thrice happy he, who here partakes That sacred stream, that heavenly food!

3 Oh! let thy table honored be, And furnished well with joyful guests; And may each soul salvation see, That here its sacred pledges tastes.

4 Let crowds approach, with hearts prepared; With hearts inflamed let all attend; Nor, when we leave our Father's board, The pleasure or the profit end.

Philip Doddridge, 1740.

476 Rockingham. L.M.

_Jesu, Dulcedo Cordium!_ (963)

Jesus, thou Joy of loving hearts!

Thou Fount of life! thou Light of men!

From the best bliss that earth imparts, We turn unfilled to thee again.

2 Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood; Thou savest those that on thee call; To them that seek thee, thou art good, To them that find thee,--All in all!

3 We taste thee, oh, thou living Bread!

And long to feast upon thee still; We drink of thee, the Fountain Head, And thirst our souls from thee to fill.

4 Our restless spirits yearn for thee, Where'er our changeful lot is cast; Glad, when thy gracious smile we see, Blest, when our faith can hold thee fast.