A SUPPLEMENT

TO THE

COLLECTION OF HYMNS

FOR THE USE OF THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE last General Conference recommended to the Editors and Agents of the Book Concern tre publication of some additional hymns in the form of a Supplement to our Hymn-book. For various reasons, not now necessary to mention, this has been delayed until the present time, though a considerable number had been prepared for that purpose, some selected from Charles Wesley and others, and some being original. These, however, were all consumed by the late fire which destroyed our Book-room.

As the plates for the Hymn-book were destroyed by that disastrous event, by which it has become necessary to prepare a new set, we have availed ourselves of this opportunity to add the following Supplement, consisting chiefly of hymns adapted to special occasions, such as

dedications, anniversaries, &c. Some of these are original, having been prepared expressly for this purpose, but the most of them are selected from the festival and other hymns of the late Rev. Charles Wesley, than whom no man ever united the spirit of poetry, fervent piety, and evangelical sentiment more firmly and delightfully together. But though his poetical genius led him to write on almost all subjects within the range of Christian doctrine and duty, yet there were some usages not so familiar in his day, such as Sunday-school and Missionary anniversaries, to which but few of his hymns, however excellent in other respects, seem to be adapted. This led the Editor to seek to other sources for supplying this deficiency.

NEW YORK, March 18, 1836.

N. BANGS.

SUPPLEMENT.

ON LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A

NEW CHURCH.

608 Mear-p. 3.]

C. M.

EHOLD the sure foundation-stone

BWhich God in Sion lays,

To build our heavenly hopes upon,
And his eternal praise.

2 Chosen of God, to sinners dear,
We now adore thy name;
We trust our whole salvation here,
Nor can we suffer shame.

3 The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain ;

Yet on this Rock the church shall rest,
And envy rage in vain.

4 What though the gates of hell withstood,
Yet must this building rise:

'Tis thine own work, almighty God,
And wondrous in our eyes.

609 Bethany-p. 217.] 6th P. M. 6 lines 7s.

R

OCK of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,

From thy wounded side which flow'd,
Be of sin the double cure,

Save from wrath and make me pure.

2 Could my tears for ever flow,
Could my zeal no languor know,

These for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and thou alone :
In my hand no price I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling.

3 While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold thee on thy throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.

610 Euphrates-p.274.] 12th P.M.76,76,78,76. HOU, who hast in Sion laid

And with those a covenant made,
Who build on that alone:
Hear us, Architect divine!

Great builder of thy church below;
Now upon thy servants shine,

Who seek thy praise to show.

2 Earth is thine; her thousand hills
Thy mighty hand sustains;
Heaven thy awful presence fills;
O'er all thy glory reigns:
Yet the place of old prepared,
By regal David's favour'd son,
Thy peculiar blessing shared,
And stood thy chosen throne.

3 We, like Jesse's son, would raise
A temple to the Lord,

Sound throughout its courts his praise,
His saving name record;
Dedicate a house to Him,

Who, once in mortal weakness shrined,

Sorrow'd, suffer'd to redeem,

To rescue all mankind.

4 Father, Son, and Spirit send
The consecrating flame;
Now in majesty descend,

Inscribe the living name:
That great name by which we live
Now write on this accepted stone;
Us into thy hands receive,

Our temple make thy throne.

611

GR

REAT God! who laid on Sion's mount
A precious corner-stone;"

More powerful than the gates of hell,
And sacred as thy throne:

2 Regard us who before thee spread
Our hands in solemn prayer;
For by thy cloud and pillar led,
The ark hath rested here.

3 The patriarchs and prophets proved
A sure foundation given;
The martyrs rested there unmoved,
In holiest hope of heaven.

4 That Rock was Christ-fore'er the same, The Lord our righteousness:

O may this altar bear thy name,
And thou our labour bless!

5 And though in glorious temple high,
Eternal is thy throne;

O let us find thy footstool nigh,
And prove this place thine own!

612

THOU before whose lofty throne
The holy ones of heaven bow;

With them we would thy glory own,
And grateful sing thy mercy now.