Dein Fleisch muss uns zum Pfande dienen, Dass unser Fleisch, so schwachheitvoll, Einst herrlich aus dem Staube grünen Und unverweslich werden soll; Ja, dass Du uns ein ewig Leben Nach dieser Pilgerzeit wirst geben. O theures Lamm, so edle Gaben Hast Du in dieses Mahl gelegt! Da wir Dich selbst zur Speise haben, Wie wohl ist unser Geist gepflegt! Diess Mahl ist unter allen Leiden Ein wahrer Vorschmack jener Freuden. Johann Jacob Rambach. 1693-1735. Hymn for Holy Communion. Whoso eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, hath eternal Life. _St. John_, vi. 54. O Lord, Who on that last sad eve, Ere Thou didst die to save our race, The fruits of this Thy Death didst leave In our New-covenant Meal of Grace; For this, of all Thy Gifts the best, Thy Holy Name be praised and blest! New life, through Thy life-giving Blood, This Sacramental Cup bestows; We take and eat this hallowed Food, And call to mind Thy dying Woes; Thy Wounds, Thy Cross, Thy bitter Pain, Our thoughts recall them each again. We hail an added Sign and Seal, Anew on burdened hearts impressed, That Thy deep Wounds our wounds can heal; Thy Love has set our fears at rest, Cancelled the debt we could not pay, Torn up and thrown the bond away. The cords more firmly here we tie, That close with Thee our souls unite; The flame of Love mounts up on high, And rules with all-subduing might: This sacred Rite can grace afford, To make us one with Thee, O Lord. With strength anew from Thee derived, The strength Thy Flesh and Blood impart, Here feels his inner life revived Each guest who comes with faithful heart; With fresh resolve once more begin The works of Faith, the wars with sin. With all Thy members, Christ our Head, We cherish thus communion sweet; To drink One Cup, to eat One Bread, This makes our union more complete: One Soul unites our brother-band, Possessors of this Covenant land. Thy Flesh a solemn pledge conveys, That our weak flesh, though here it dies, Like herbs brought forth by dews and rays, A glorious body shall arise, Which, when this pilgrim state is o’er, Shall live with Thee for evermore. O Lamb of God, such precious gifts Are in this holy Banquet stored, The soul from earth to heaven it lifts, In faith to feed at this Thy Board: How high the Feast, the gain how vast, Where Thou Thyself art our Repast. Trauungslied. Der Herr segne dich und behüte dich: Er erleuchte sein Angesicht über dich und gebe dir Frieden. Erhebt euch, frohe Jubellieder, Zu Gottes lichtem Thron empor; Es hört, es neigt zu uns hernieder Der Weltenherr sein Vaterohr: Gott, der da ist, sein wird und war, Gott, segne dieses neue Paar.