HYMN LXVI. For a vacant Congregation

O GOD of heaven, whose gentle ray, Illumes the worlds of light, Thy wisdom rules the realms of day, And leads the host of night.

Behold thy waiting servants stand, And claim with feeble cries. Some skilful guide with gentle hand To lead us to the skies.

While absent from thy temple, Lord Like wandering flocks we stray We lose the memory of thy word And waste the sacred day.

And when, within these walls of thine We find our wonted place: How faint our feeble voices join To seek thy pardoning grace.

Almighty Saviour, hear our prayer, Some chosen servant raise. For us the bread of life to share And help our lips to praise.

Then in thy house, with joy unknown We'll raise a nobler song, Till we shall meet around thy throne, And join the heavenly throng.