(John 4:21-23; Matt. 18 :20.)
Not Gerizim, nor Zion's mount, "
Nor temple made with hands:
The God of grace a dwelling-place
More glorious demands-
A temple built of living stones
From all earth's barren lands.
In love "made nigh," the Lord's redeemed,
Of every clime and race,
Can offer now, in worship true,
Before the Father's face
The sacrifice of praise, from hearts
That know the Father's grace.
Where loving heart and reverent hand
Our paschal feast prepare,
His grace makes e'en the humblest room
The Father's house of prayer;
For, gathered to His name beloved,
The Lord Himself is there.
His promise to the two or three
Doth blessedly abide;
And while our souls adoring see
The pierced hands and side,
The Spirit all pervading doth
Our hearts in worship guide.
The twos and threes, in light divine,
By sovereign grace made meet,
As members of one body now,
And as in Christ complete,
The first-fruits of eternal praise,
Now offer at His feet.
Within the veil-where Light and Love
Their glories full unfold-
Our hearts adoring bow before
The Mercy-seat of gold,
And in communion sweet, divine,
Th' atoning blood behold.
Behold the stricken Lamb of God-
Ordained ere time began,
By love's obedience to fulfil
Redemption's purposed plan-
A rebel world to reconcile,
Salvation bring to man;
From death and darkness' power redeem,
And bring to God in light;
From paths of sin and sorrow save,
To walk with Him in white,
And share the glories He hath won,
In glory's highest height.
Ah! well may we "remember" Him
With hearts that overflow,
Who bore our judgment unto death,
The uttermost of woe;
Endured God's righteous wrath that we
The Father's love might know.
Oh living Well in arid waste-
Where saved and Saviour meet!
Where love's redeemed, in blest commune,
In love's divine retreat,
Foretaste the joy of heaven now
In earth's "remembrance " sweet.
" Until He come," His blood-bought Bride
For glory's courts to claim,
Oh, let us all, in word and way,
His grace, His praise proclaim;
And till His face with joy we see
We'll "gather to His Name."
W. L. G.