University of Virginia Library


127

HYMN XVII. FOR THE NOBILITY.

Great Builder of Thy church below,
Who dost e'en now the wall repair,
Shall none of all our nobles show
His zeal, the happy toil to share,
Shall none his lofty neck incline,
Or in Thy glorious service join?
Ah! wouldst Thou in their hearts begin
The work of Thy redeeming grace!
The lords of earth, the slaves of sin,
Out of their chains of darkness raise,
Of pleasure, ignorance, and vice,
And turn their passions to the skies.
Endue with wisdom from above
Their souls, when precious in Thy sight;
Their honour be Thy pardoning love,
Thy service their supreme delight,
Their inconceivable reward,
Their heaven, contemplating the Lord!