The House Of God Poem by John Bowring

Written for the Dedication Services at Oakfield Road Church, Clifton. 13th Nov. 1864.

A house to God the Monarch built,
For altars high and incense sweet;
'Twas richly carved,-'twas gaily gilt,-
For sacrifice and worship meet.
Then said the Monarch, 'Lord, I see
My house is all unworthy Thee.


Unworthy Thee, whom highest heaven,
Whom heaven of heavens, cannot contain;
Whose greatness human thought hath striven
To compass, or conceive in vain.
Yet in thy house my heart shall be,
Hallowing Thy name perpetually.'


We, too, have raised our temple pile
Unworthy Thee,-and yet we pray,
Father! for Thy benignant smile
To bless the deed, to bless the day
Which dedicates another shrine
To holy thoughts and hopes divine.


Here let the songs of praise be heard,
The earnest reverential prayer,
And Truth's sublime eternal word
Be ever boldly uttered here;
And worshippers and worship be
Acceptable, O God, to Thee!