On the Appointment of a Minister.--Phil. ii. 29

We bid thee welcome in the Name
Of Jesus, our exalted Head;
Come as a servant, so He came,
And we receive thee in His stead.

Come as a shepherd; guard and keep
This fold from hell, and earth, and sin;
Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep,
The wounded heal, the lost bring in.

Come as a watchman; take thy stand
Upon thy tower amidst the sky;
And when the sword comes on the land,
Call us to fight, or warn to fly.

Come as an angel, hence to guide
A band of pilgrims on their way,
That, safely walking at thy side,
We fail not, faint not, turn, nor stray.

Come as a teacher sent from God,
Charged His whole counsel to declare;
Lift o'er our ranks the prophet's rod,
While we uphold thy hands with prayer.

Come as a messenger of peace,
Fill'd with the Spirit, fired with love;
Live to behold our large increase,
And die to meet us all above.