Verse 1
The Saviour, when to heaven he rose,
In splendid triumph o'er his foes,
Scattered his gifts on men below,
And wide his royal bounties flow.
Verse 2
Hence sprung the Apostles' honoured name;
Sacred beyond heroic fame:
In lowlier forms before our eyes,
Pastors from hence, and teachers rise.
Verse 3
From Christ their varied gifts derive,
And fed by Christ their graces live:
While guarded by his mighty hand,
Midst all the rage of hell they stand.
Verse 4
So shall the bright succession run
Through the last courses of the sun;
While unborn churches by their care
Shall rise and flourish large and fair.
Verse 5
Jesus, now teach our hearts to know
The spring whence all these blessings flow;
Pastors and people shout thy praise
Through the long round of endless days.
written by Philip Doddridge (1702-1751)