On Opening a Place for Social Prayer

Jesus! where'er Thy people meet, There they behold Thy mercy seat; Where'er they seek Thee, Thou art found, And every place is hallow'd ground.

For Thou, within no walls confined, Inhabitest the humble mind; Such ever bring Thee where they come And going, take Thee to their home.

Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few! Thy former mercies here renew; Her to our waiting hearts proclaim The sweetness of Thy saving name.

Here may we prove the power of prayer, To strengthen faith, and sweeten care; To teach our faint desires to rise, And bring all Heaven before our eyes.

Behold, at Thy commanding word We stretch the curtain and the cord; Come Thou, and fill this wider space, And bless us with a large increase.

Lord, we are few, but Thou art near: Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear; Oh rend the heavens, come quickly down, And make a thousand hearts Thine own.