MINISTER, <br /> <br />-solo. <br /> <br />To thine altar, Holy One, <br />Who dost now this temple fill, <br />As a servant of thy Son, <br />'Lo, I come to do thy will.' <br /> <br /> <br />PEOPLE, <br /> <br />-full choir. <br /> <br />Father! let thy servant's prayer <br />From thine altar rise to thee! <br />Make his body's health thy care; <br />Keep his spirit pure and free! <br /> <br /> <br />MINISTER. <br /> <br />To this people would I give <br />What of strength and light is mine; <br />But, Lord, that their souls may live, <br />Give them light and strength divine! <br /> <br /> <br />PEOPLE. <br /> <br />On our youthful pastor's head <br />Let thy holy spirit fall! <br />Send thy blessing with the bread <br />That he breaketh for us all! <br /> <br /> <br />MINISTER. <br /> <br />When my hands that bread shall break, <br />In thy sight may they be clean! <br />When my lips for thee shall speak, <br />Let their truth by thee be seen! <br /> <br /> <br />PEOPLE. <br /> <br />And when truth, from lips sincere, <br />To our listening ears shall come, <br />May it meet a welcome here! <br />Give it in our hearts a home. <br /> <br /> <br />MINISTER. <br /> <br />When my hands no more are spread, <br />For this people, towards thy throne, <br />Place a worthier in my stead! <br />Father, leave them not alone! <br /> <br /> <br />PEOPLE. <br /> <br />Father! in that solemn hour, <br />When his spirit leaves its clay, <br />Take him, by the Gospel's power, <br />To his rest in endless day.<br /><br />John Pierpont<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymns-for-ordination-and-installation-xi/