HYMN NO. 493

1 Father of men, in whom are one
All humankind beneath Thy sun,
Stablish our work in Thee begun.

2 Except the house be built of Thee,
In vain the builder’s toil must be:
O strengthen our infirmity.

3 Man lives not for himself alone,
In others’ good he finds his own;
Life’s worth in fellowship is known.

4 We, friends and comrades on life’s way,
Gather within these walls to pray:
Bless Thou our fellowship today.

5 O Christ, our elder brother, who
By serving man God’s will didst do,
Help us to serve our brethren, too.

6 Guide us to seek the things above,
The base to shun, the pure approve,
To live by Thy free law of love.

7 In all our work, in all our play,
Be with us, Lord, our friend, our stay;
Lead onward to the perfect day:

8 Then may we know, earth’s lesson o’er,
With comrades missed or gone before,
Heaven’s fellowship for evermore.