A parting blessing

1124 C. M.
For a parting blessing.

NOW may the God of peace and love,
   Who from the’ impris’ning grave
   Restored the Shepherd of the sheep,
   Omnipotent to save ;—

2 Through the rich merits of that blood
   Which he on Calvary spilt,
   To make the’ eternal cov’nant sure,
   On which our hopes are built ;—

3 Perfect our souls in every grace,
   To accomplish all his will;
   And all that ’s pleasing in his sight
   Inspire us to fulfil.

4 For the great Mediator’s s sake
   We every blessing pray;
   With glory let his Name be crown’d,
   Through heaven’s eternal day.
                         Thomas Gibbons
                         Methodist Episcopal hymnal (1870 edition)

<idle musing>
Reading the biography on hymnary.org, I couldn't help but notice this, "He lacked 'the vision and faculty divine,' which gives life to hymns and renders them of permanent value." Ouch. Even if it is true, that wouldn't escape an editor's pen today!
</idle musing>