Cottage of Bethany

1 Ah! Cottage of Bethany, happy wast thou,
Where often the Saviour was wont to repair;
That time has long past into distance, and now
No Mary can boast that the Master is there.

2 But though not in presence our Saviour be nigh,
A guest to partake, and a teacher to guide,
Faith sees, though unseen by the bodily eye,
Him present in spirit, on every side.

3 Yes, Saviour, thou surely art here for thou didst
A promise bestow, as thou passed'st away,
That thou would'st for ever be found in the midst
Of but two or three who assembled to pray.

Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #184