May thy rich bounties ever
To wedded love be shown,
And no rude hand dissever
Whom thou hast linked in one.

987. L. M. C. Sprague.

For the Blessing of Schools.

1 O Thou, at whose dread name we bend,
To whom our purest vows we pay,
God over all, in love descend,
And bless the labors of this day.

2 Our fathers here, a pilgrim band,
Fixed the proud empire of the free;
Art moved in gladness o'er the land,
And Faith her altars reared to thee.

3 Here, too, to guard, through every age,
The sacred rights their valor won,
They bade instruction spread her page,
And send down truth from sire to son.

4 Here still, through all succeeding time,
Their stores may truth and learning bring
And still the anthem-note sublime
To thee from children's children sing.

988. L. M. J. G. Adams.

Dedication of a School-house.

1 God of our fathers! from whose hand
Came all our lights and blessings down,--
Who this devoted, favored land
Dost with thy choicest mercy crown!

2 To Learning and to Knowledge reared--
We dedicate with prayer and praise
This edifice, to thee, revered
Above all gods, through endless days!

3 Accept the offering--deign to dwell
With thy confiding children here;
The shades of Ignorance dispel,--
In Truth's omnipotence appear!

4 Here through successive years may come
The youthful mind--fair Wisdom's guest;
Long be this house Instruction's home,
When those who reared it sink to rest.

989. 6s. & 4s. M. J. G. Adams.

The Same.

1 Raise the adoring song!
Praises to God belong,
In this glad hour!
He who from worlds on high,
Spreads over earth and sky
Proofs of his majesty,
Goodness and power!

2 Praise, that Instruction's voice
Bids the young heart rejoice
In this fair land;
Praise, that the humblest mind
Wisdom's true light may find,
Ground on which all inclined
Freely may stand.

3 Source of all holiness!
With thy rich favor bless
This house of thine;
Here be true knowledge sought,
Here purest wisdom taught,
Wisdom with Freedom fraught,
Freedom divine!

990. C. M. P. H. Sweetse