2 Preserve it from the passing feet,
And plunderers of the air;
The sultry sun's intenser heat,
And weeds of worldly care.

3 Tho' buried deep, or thinly strown,
Do thou thy grace supply;
The hope in earthly furrows sown,
Shall ripen in the sky.

1 AGAIN our ears have heard the voice,
At which the dead shall live:
Oh may the sound our hearts rejoice,
And strength immortal give.

2 And have we heard the word with joy?
And have we felt its power?
T'obey thro' grace be our employ,
Till life's remotest hour.

Of thy love some gracious token
Grant us, Lord, before we go;
Bless the word which has been spoken,
Life and peace on all bestow:
When we join the world again,
Let our hearts with thee remain :

Oh direct us,

And protect us,

Till we gain the heav'nly store,
Where thy people want no more
160 6.6.8.

ON what has now been sown,

Thy blessing, Lord, bestow;
The power is thine alone

To make it spring and grow;

O Lord! th' abundant harvest raise, And thou alone shalt have the praise.

1 THE peace which God alone reveals,
And by his word of grace imparts,
Which only the believer feels,
Direct, and keep, and cheer our hearts.
2 And may the holy Three in One,
The Father, Word, and Comforter,
Pour an abundant blessing down
On every one assembled here.

1 JESUS! our Lord and King,
Whom infidels despise;

2

3

4

To Thee our infant race we bring,
And in thy name baptize.
Their nature is impure,
Corruption dwells within;
O let thy blood effect a cure,
And cleanse away their sin.
Behold, our waiting faith
Upon thy word relies,

Expecting, as the scripture saith,
Thy spirit to baptize.

All rites and forms are vain
Without thy special grace:

O may thy Holy Spirit deign
To bless our infant race.

163 C. M.

Suffer little children to come to me." 1 BEHOLD! What condescending love Jesus on earth displays;

To babes and sucklings he extends
The riches of his grace.

2 He still the ancient promise keeps
To our forefathers given;

Young children to his arms he takes,
And calls them heirs of heav'n.

3 "Them suffer to draw near," he cries,
Nor scorn their humble name;

For 'twas to bless such souls as these
The Lord of angels came.

4 We bring them, Lord, with thankful hearts,
And yield them up to thee;
Joyful that we ourselves are thine,
Thine may our offspring be.

Prayer for a child at his Baptism. I SINCE thou art pleas'd thy saints to own, Good Lord, our children bless; This institution do thou crown With tokens of thy grace.

2 Jesus, we lift our souls to thee;
Thy Holy Spirit breathe,

And let this little infant be
Baptiz'd into thy death.

3 Oh! let thine unction on him rest, (or her) Thy grace his soul renew,

And write within his tender breast

Thy name and nature too.

4 Lord, if thou quickly end his days,
His place with thee prepare,
Or if thou lengthen out his race,
Continue still thy care.

5 Lord, plant us all into thy death,
That we thy life may prove;
Partakers of thy cross beneath,
And of thy crown above.

To be used when several children are baptized.
I OUR children, Lord, in faith and prayer,
We now devote to thee;

Let them, thy cov'nant-mercies share,
And thy salvation see.

2 Such helpless babes thou didst embrace, While dwelling here below:

To us and ours, O God of grace!
The same compassion show.

3 In early days their hearts secure,
From worldly snares we pray;
And let them to the end endure,
In ev'ry righteous way.

4 Grant us before them, Lord, to live,
In holy faith and fear;

And then to heaven our souls remove,
And bring our children there.

285

OR, THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.

(Appropriate Psalm.)
[119 Part ii.]

166

L. M.

For those preparing for Confirmation. 1 Look down, O Lord, and on our youth Bestow the gift of heav'nly grace; And let the seed of sacred truth, Find in each heart a fruitful place. 2 Soon to appear before thy sight, Their vow and promise to renew, Prepare them for the solemn rite; Bid each his heart and life review.

3 The cross that mark'd their infant brow, May it a faithful emblem prove,

That they shall keep that sacred vow,
And walk as children of thy love.

4 Thy sons and daughters, may they be
Confirm'd and strengthen'd by thy grace;
And, safe through life, preserv'd by thee,
In heav'n behold thee face to face.

To be sung by Candidates for Confirmation.
1 JESUS, thy servants now behold;
Our youthful prayers succeed;
Admit us, Lord, within the fold,
Among thy lambs to feed.