Great God, this sacred day of Thine

Great God, this sacred day of Thine. Anne Steele* (1716-1778). First published in John Ash* and Caleb Evans*’s Collection of Hymns adapted to Public Worship (Bristol, 1769). It was entitled ‘Hymn for the Lord’s Day Morning’. It had four stanzas. The following text is from the Third Edition of 1778:  Great God, this sacred Day of Thine, Demands our Soul’s collected Powers: May we employ in Work divine, These solemn, these devoted Hours! O may our Souls, adoring, own, The Grace, which calls us to Thy Throne!  Hence, ye vain Cares and Trifles fly, Where God resides appear no more, Omniscient God, Thy piercing Eye, Can every secret Thought explore. O may Thy Grace our Hearts refine,...