Hymn 338 by Charles Kingsley (1853)
The work is a prayerful hymn that expresses a deep yearning for divine acceptance and guidance. It opens with a plea for the Lord to accept a humble building, constructed not as a grand temple but as a refuge for those in suffering. The speaker emphasizes the importance of community and the shared human experience of hardship, seeking divine support for all who inhabit the space. The hymn highlights the belief that all skills, compassion, and virtues originate from the divine, asking for these qualities to be bestowed upon individuals according to their needs. It envisions a future where pain and death are eradicated, replaced by a world filled with health, light, and peace. The imagery of nature, with blue skies and green fields, symbolizes hope for a restored paradise, free from human destruction. Ultimately, the work conveys a message of faith, resilience, and the aspiration for a harmonious existence, urging a collective rise towards noble thoughts and deeds, while looking forward to a time of divine justice and universal well-being.
By Charles Kingsley · First published 1853 · Genre: Religion & Spirituality, Music, Literature & Fiction · 242 words
First lines
Accept this building, gracious Lord, No temple though it be; We raised it for our suffering kin, And so, Good Lord, for Thee.
Accept our little gift, and give To all who here may dwell, The will and power to do their work, Or bear their sorrows well.
From Thee all skill and science flow; All pity, care, and love, All calm and courage, faith and hope, Oh! pour them from above.
And part them, Lord, to each and all, As each and all shall need, To rise like incense, each to Thee, In noble thought and deed.
What this Textopian page supports
Hymn 338 is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Kingsley, dated 1853 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Kingsley
- Date: 1853 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religion & Spirituality, Music, Literature & Fiction
- Length: 242 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Hymn 338 by Charles Kingsley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Te Deum Laudamus by Francis Sherman
- The Doxology by Charles Kingsley
- A Song Sermon by George Macdonald
- A Song Prayer by George Macdonald
- Morning Hymn by George Macdonald
- Song Sermon by George Macdonald
Genres
- Religion & Spirituality — The book is a hymn, indicating it is used for religious or spiritual practices or contemplations.
- Music — Hymns are a type of musical composition, often used in religious contexts.
- Literature & Fiction — The book is written by Charles Kingsley, a known author of literature and fiction books, suggesting it might have literary or fictional elements beyond its primary religious focus.
Tags
hymn · poetry · religion · spirituality · Christianity · worship · faith · devotion · sacred · inspiration · praise · soul