HYMN,
Reading edition
FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.
———
BY REV. S. DRYDEN PHELPS.
———
How glorious is thy dwelling,
O Lord of Hosts, on high,
Where angel anthems swelling
Fill all the boundless sky:
In more than Eden splendor
The heavenly mansions shine,
Where praise the ransomed render,
In worship all divine.
On earth, among the lowly,
Thou hast a gracious reign—
The kingdom of the holy,
The church, the born-again;
And temples, reared by mortals.
The homes of truth and love.
Are hallowed as the portals
Of Paradise above.
Make this thy habitation,
And here thy name record;
With blessing and salvation
Our prayers and toils reward;
Let dews of grace descending,
On every heart distill;
And humble throngs come bending
To know and do thy will.
The Spirit’s living beauty
To all thy servants give,
And strength for every duty,
That each to thee may live;
Till, in his chariot gleaming,
The Saviour comes to bear
The souls of his redeeming
To heavenly mansions fair.