Adventist Pioneer Library

Worship — Opening Hymns

When, as returns this solemn day

  • No. 10
  • Words Anna L. Barbauld.
  • 3 stanzas
  • Words only in the original

Words

⤢ Full screen
1

When, as returns this solemn day,
Man comes to meet his God,
What rites, what honors shall he pay?
How spread his praise abroad?

2

From marble domes and gilded spires
Shall clouds of incense rise?
And gems, and gold, and garlands deck
The costly sacrifice?

3

Vain, sinful man! creation's Lord
Thy offerings well may spare;
But give thy heart, and thou shalt find
Thy God will hear thy prayer.

About this hymn

As printed Text-only hymn (right column, below hymn 9; complete on this page — the author line closes it above the page number). Header as printed: the number «10» at the left and the italic cross-reference line «120, 227, 70.» (= sing to the tune of hymn 120, 227 or 70). The first word is printed in small capitals («WHEN,»). Lines 2 and 4 of each stanza are indented in the print. The period's space before «?», «!» and «;» is not reproduced (parent normalisation, the convention of the other hymnals).; «honors» (American spelling) as printed. Ends with «Anna L. Barbauld.» in italics (the PDF text layer reads «Anne»; the print says «Anna», verified at 3×).

Source
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book (Battle Creek: Review & Herald, 1886/1888)
Where
Worship — Opening Hymns · No. 10 · printed page 9
Checked
lyrics verified · 2026-09-25