This hymn was written by John Allnutt (Snr) on the important occasion of the opening of the Congregational Chapel at Australind on 12 September 1850. The land and building was bought in 1914 by the Diocesan Trustees of Bunbury Incorporated. The church was licensed, consecrated and renamed St Nicholas Church in December 1915 as an Anglican Church and still stands today on Parish Road.[1]
A Peice composed by a Friend for the opening of the Chapel at Australind
1
Here we raise our Ebenezer
Though it humble be and weak
Here dear Lord we wait thy pleasure
Kindly to thy people speak
2
Bid us onward press to raise thee
Some poor mark of love divine
Ever help us here to praise thee
Make our word and worship thine
3
Help the poor make strong the feeble
Here fix every wavering heart
Jesus make them bold and able
In thy work to bear their part
4
Guide the feet of every wanderer
Soften every heart of stone
Bring the restless helpless trembler
___ to bend before ____
5
Here dear Lord as in the manger
Condescend to dwell a while
Let the shepherd friend and stranger
Often here behold thy smile
6
O our Father deign to bless us
All our need in pity see
From the wells of life refresh us
Set the chained and fettered free
7
Mark thy servant when in speaking
Season every word by grace
Sanctify the sabbath Teaching
Let thy lambs be taught thy praise
8
May thy people all endeavour
Joining hearts and joining hands
By thy help help alltogether
Soon to spread us into bands
9
And to God be all the glory
Sing his praise for evermore
Shout ye souls resound the story
Jesus dwells among the poor
John Allnutt, Australind
September the 12th 1850.[2]
[1] https://www.stnicholasaustralind.org.au/historic-church viewed 31 August 2022.
[2] State Library of Western Australia, Allnutt-Davis family papers, 1850-1918, ACC NO 1924A.