Lord, on Thy Returning Day

Lord

on Thy re­turn­ing day

From com­mon la­bor freed

We are come to sing and pray

With felt re­turn­ing need;

Come to seek our for­mer rest

Come to urge our old re­quest.

Show us

Lord

the goal of life

And give us heart to run;

Breathe the peace that fol­lows strife

Lest fu­ture work we shun:

Hearts that has­ty time has griev­ed

Are by Sab­bath calm re­lieved.

We would sing as in the rays

Of mer­cy ev­er bright

Which en­dur­eth

to Thy praise

For ev­er Thy de­light:

Sing for hap­pi­ness we know

Or that we may hap­py grow.

We would pray as those who stand

Their tru­est friend be­side

Whom He tak­eth by the hand

Unto their God to guide;

By His pow­er and for His sake

Fully us Thy child­ren make.