Scripture Verse

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1

Introduction

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John Q. Adams (1767–1848)

Words: John Q. Ad­ams (1767–1848). Pub­lished in Po­ems of Re­li­gion and So­cie­ty by John Quin­cy Ad­ams, by John Da­vis & T. H. Ben­ton (New York: Will­iam H. Gra­ham, 1848), pag­es 56–57.

Music: Rec­tor Po­tens Frank Sew­all (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Frank Sewall (1837–1915)

Lyrics

Hark! ’tis the holy temple’s bell;
The voice that summons me to prayer:
My heart, each roving fancy quell;
Come, to the house of God repair.

There, while, in orison sublime,
Souls to the throne of God as­cend,
Let no unhallowed child of time
Profane pollutions with them blend.

How for thy wants canst thou im­plore,
Crave for thy frailties pardon free,
Of praise the votive tribute pour,
Or bend, in thanks, the grateful knee,

If, from the awful King of kings,
Each bauble lures thy soul as­tray;
If to this dust of earth it clings,
And, fickle, flies from heaven away;

Pure as the blessèd seraph’s vow,
O, let the sacred concert rise;
Intent with humble rapture bow,
Adore the Ruler of the skies.

Bid earth born atoms all depart;
Within thyself collected, fall;
And give one day, rebellious heart,
Unsullied to the Lord of all!