OFTEN the public means of grace, Thy thirsting people’s meeting-place, Oppressors have beset: Attacked them in the house of prayer, And prison-bondage made them bear, Because with Thee they met.
But we from such assaults are freed, Can pray, and sing, and hear, and read, And meet, and part in peace: May we such freedoms duly prize, In their improvement make us wise, And bless us with increase.
Unless Thy presence Thou afford, Unless Thy blessing clothe the Word, In vain our liberty! What would it profit to maintain A name for life, should we remain Formal and dead to Thee?
Confirm the Word our peace allows, Bless the provisions of Thy house, In hunger we have come; Drawn by Thine invitation, Lord, Now from the fulness of Thy Word, O send us thankful home.
John ewton, 1725-1807‡