Within The Temple's Hallowed Courts

The Pure Offering

A Communion Hymn For The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and
A Communion Hymn For The Festivals of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1865)

Music: Not Stated

Source: William Chatterton Dix, ed., Altar Songs - Verses On The Holy Eucharist. Second Edition, Enlarged. (London: John Hodges, 1868), Hymn #10, pp. 17-18.

1. Within the Temple’s hallowed courts
    Saint Mary stands,
Behold, the Mother of Fair Love
    Fulfils the law’s commands.

2. Too poor the costly lamb to bring,
    She yet brings Thee,
The spotless Lamb of God—the Heir
    Of immortality.

3. O mystery, that woman’s love
    Should bring the Lord
Into His temple and fulfil
    The promise of His word.

4. Yet so it was. That little Child
    The Mother maid
Pressed to her loving heart, was e’en
    The God to Whom she prayed.

5. The offering of the poor was hers;
    Yet wondrous thought,
Unto the Altar of her God
    The Lamb of God she brought.

6. Now the expectant ones behold
    The Light of Light;
And in their daily hour of prayer,
    Their faith is lost in sight.

7. God does not dwell ’mid feverish heats,
    Or fancies wild;
'Tis in the quiet of His house
    We find the Holy Child.

8. We look for something great the while
    His blessed Will
Is working silently Its course,
    Like lonely mountain-rill.

9. The earthquake, fire and storm
    We make our choice;
Forgetful that the Lord, of old,
    Came in the still, small voice.

10. Forgetful, that by those who kept
    In duteous round
Their holy course of prayer and fast,
    The Infant-Christ was found.

11. O Father, we have nought to bring
    But Mary’s gift:
The Sacrifice of Thy dear Son
    Anew by faith we lift.

12. We, like the Mother-maid, are poor,
    But Thou dost deign
To give us Thy dear Son, that we
    May give to Thee again !

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