Hymn

SUNG AT THE SECOND CHURCH, AT THE ORDINATION OF REV. CHANDLER ROBBINS     We love the venerable house     Our fathers built to God;--     In heaven are kept their grateful vows,     Their dust endears the sod.     Here holy thoughts a light have shed     From many a radiant face,     And prayers of humble virtue made     The perfume of the place.     And anxious hearts have pondered here     The mystery of life,     And prayed the eternal Light to clear     Their doubts, and aid their strife.     From humble tenements around     Came up the pensive train,     And in the church a blessing found     That filled their homes again;     For faith and peace and mighty love     That from the Godhead flow,     Showed them the life of Heaven above     Springs from the life below.     They live with God; their homes are dust;     Yet here their children pray,     And in this fleeting lifetime trust     To find the narrow way.     On him who by the altar stands,     On him thy blessing fall,     Speak through his lips thy pure commands,     Thou heart that lovest all.