Hymn 520 in the 900th Post

Earlier this year my aunt handed down to me a few family heirlooms, books mostly, that belonged to my Moore ancestors.  Of the small collection, the oldest is a chunky little book of Methodist hymns printed in 1829 from the collection  of John Wesley.  It is well-worn with a leather cover and tiny print.  There are a total of 606 hymns packed into this tiny book, of which I know but a small handful-maybe a half-dozen.  There is no music, only lyrics, which causes me to wonder what the unknown hymns sound like.  It makes me imagine my great x4 grandfather, Andrew Moore, standing and leading his congregation from this little book on the edge of the Indiana prairie in the 1830s.

Scouring the index for hymns I would know, I noticed that they are categorized into themes including birthdays, funerals, and Christmas.  And since this is my birthday-time-of-the-year, I thought I would include one of the two birthday hymns in my blog post today.  So, in celebrating 46 years in this my 900th post, a hymn I make my prayer.

Hymn 520, verses 1, 3, 6

Rev. Kingsworth

God of my life, to Thee

My cheerful soul I raise!

Thy goodness bade me be,

And still prolongs my days

I see my natal hour return,

And bless the day that I was born.

Long as I live beneath,

To Thee O let me live!

To Thee my every breath

In thanks and praises give!

Whate'er I have, whate'er I am,

Shall magnify my Maker's Name.

Then when the work is done,

The work of faith and power,

Receive thy favour'd son,

In death's triumphant hour,

Like Moses to thyself convey,

And kiss my raptur'd soul away.