3 Not for this span of life alone, Which like a blast doth fly, And as the transient flowers of grass, Just blossom, droop, and die;-- 4 But for a being without end This vow of love we take; Grant us, O God, one home at last, For thy great mercy's sake. 986. 7s. & 6s. M. Heber. The Same. 1 When on her Maker's bosom The new-born earth was laid, And nature's opening blossom Its fairest bloom displayed; When all with fruits and flowers, The laughing soil was dressed, And Eden's fragrant bowers Received their human guest,-- 2 No sin his face defiling, The heir of nature stood, And God, benignly smiling, Beheld that all was good. Yet in that hour of blessing A single want was known,-- A wish the heart distressing,-- For Adam was alone. 3 O God of pure affection, By men and saints adored, O, give us thy protection Around this nuptial board. 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!