The Dawn of God's Dear Sabbath

1The dawn of God's dear Sabbath
Breaks o'er the earth again,
As some sweet summer morning
After a night of pain;
It comes as cooling showers
To some exhausted land,
As shadow of clustered palm trees
'Mid weary wastes of sand.

2Lord, we would bring for offering,
Though marred with earthly soil,
A week of earnest labor,
Of steady, faithful toil;
Fair fruits of self-denial,
Of strong, deep love to Thee,
For Thy dear presence blessing
Our Sabbath rest to be.

3And we would bring our burden
Of sinful thought and deed,
In Thy dear presence finding
The pardon that we need;
Our heart's most bitter sorrow
For all Thy work undone,
So few bright laurels won!

4And with that sorrow mingling,
A steadfast faith, and sure,
That Thou canst take the offering
And make it clean and pure.
Then by Thine own sweet Spirit
Thine peace so lasting,
Celestial peace indeed.