Once more dear brethren here we meet

1 Once more dear brethren here we meet,
To fall before thy mercy seat;
And saints whom Jesus deigns to own,
May claim a blessing from his throne.

2 If we have met in Jesus' name,
Our wants, our hopes, and prayers the same;
Our savior in the midst will be,
And make each cloud of darkness flee.

3 A blessing that we can't receive,
And such alone as God can give;
If then to day we stand in want,
Our Savior promises to grant.

4 Then let us in our needy case,
Come boldly to the throne of grace;
And for those favors that we need,
Devoutly at the altar plead.

5 Grant us thy blessing while we stay;
Bless all the duties of the day;
That at the close, with hearts sincere,
We'll say 'twas good that we were here.

6 Pardon Oh! Lord our every sin,
Bless us without, bless us within,
Forgive our crimes, our country spare,
And make each house, a house of prayer.

Divine Hymns of Spiritual Songs, 1802