Poems (Dodd)/Dedication Hymn
For works with similar titles, see Dedication Hymn.
DEDICATION HYMN.
Lord, thou hast crowned the fruitful year, With blessings and with bounty free;The golden corn upon the ear, And ripened grain, around me see.
And while the plenteous harvest fills Our garners with its precious store;And in the vales, and on the hills, The reapers' song and toil are o'er;
'Tis meet that we should raise a fane, In which to bend the suppliant knee;To call upon thy holy name, And render praise and thanks to thee.
And though in temples man doth rear, The Mighty One can never dwell,May those who come to worship here, The workings of thy spirit tell.
Here may meek woman bring her woe, To seek, and find, relief in prayer;And man with contrite spirit bow, When called the cup of grief to share.
O, may thy children learn in thee A kind, impartial God to view,Whose love and grace to all are free, As summer rain, or evening dew.
And never may our zeal grow cold; But while we meet this altar round,May we our Saviour's face behold, And feel, and say, "'tis holy ground!"