Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 123

1 How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives, from sin?

Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean.

2 'Tis, like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day, And, through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way.

3 Thy precepts make us truly wise; We hate the sinner's road: We hate our own vain thoughts that rise, But love thy law, O G.o.d!

4 Thy word is everlasting truth: How pure is every page!

That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age.

745. S. M. Anonymous.

Youth and the Spring-time.

1 Sweet is the time of spring, When nature's charms appear; The birds with ceaseless pleasure sing, And hail the opening year: But sweeter far the spring Of wisdom and of grace, When children bless and praise their King, Who loves the youthful race.

2 Sweet is the dawn of day, When light just streaks the sky; When shades and darkness pa.s.s away, And morning's beams are nigh: But sweeter far the dawn Of piety in youth; When doubt and darkness are withdrawn, Before the light of truth.

3 Sweet is the early dew, Which gilds the mountain tops, And decks each plant and flower we view, With pearly, glittering drops; But sweeter far the scene On Zion's holy hill, When there the dew of youth is seen Its freshness to distil.

746. C. M. Episcopal Coll.

"Remember thy Creator."

1 In the glad morn of life, when youth With generous ardor glows, And s.h.i.+nes in all the fairest charms That beauty can disclose;

2 Deep on thy soul,--before its powers Are yet by vice enslaved,-- Be thy Creator's lofty name And character engraved.

3 For soon the shades of grief may cloud The suns.h.i.+ne of thy days; And cares and toils, an endless round, Encompa.s.s all thy ways.

4 True wisdom, early sought and gained, In age will give thee rest; O then, improve the morn of life, To make its evening blest!

747. 8s. & 7s. M. R. Streeter.

Children's Prayer.

1 G.o.d of mercy and of wisdom, Hear thy children's lisping cry; Let thy presence, Lord, be with them, Teaching lessons from on high.

2 Here, beneath thy wing, we seat us, Up to heaven for wisdom look; Lord, in mercy deign to meet us,-- Meet us in thy sacred book.

3 Since thy truth doth gild its pages, May that truth, Lord, make us free; On the Rock of endless ages Let our faith established be.

4 To our faith we'll add the graces, Virtue, knowledge, patience, love; When on earth we leave our places, Raise us all to seats above.

748. 7s. M. Grey.

Sabbath School Hymn.

1 Suppliant, lo! thy children bend, Father, for thy blessing now; Thou canst teach us, guide, defend,-- We are weak, almighty thou.

2 With the peace thy word imparts, Be the taught and teacher blest; In their lives and on their hearts, Father, be thy laws imprest.

3 Pour into each longing mind Light and knowledge from above: Charity for all mankind-- Trusting faith, enduring love.

749. 8s. & 7s. M. Anonymous.

Opening of the School.

1 We have met in peace together In this house of G.o.d again; Constant friends have led us. .h.i.ther, Here to chant the solemn strain, Here to breathe our adoration, Here the Saviour's praise to sing: May the Spirit of salvation Come with healing in his wing.

2 We have met, and Time is flying; We shall part, and still his wing, Sweeping o'er the dead and dying, Will the changeful seasons bring: Let us, while our hearts are lightest, In our fresh and early years, Turn to Him whose smile is brightest, And whose grace will calm our fears.

3 He will aid us, should existence With its sorrows sting the breast; Gleaming in the onward distance, Faith will mark the land of rest: There, 'midst day-beams round him playing, We our Father's face shall see, And shall hear him gently saying, "Little children, come to me."

750. C. M. William Cutter.

Youthful Example.

1 What if the little rain should say, So small a drop as I Can ne'er refresh these thirsty fields, I'll tarry in the sky?

2 What if a s.h.i.+ning beam of noon Should in its fountain stay, Because its feeble light alone Cannot create a day?

3 Doth not each rain-drop help to form The cool, refres.h.i.+ng shower, And every ray of light to warm And beautify the flower?

4 Go thou, and strive to do thy share-- One talent,--less than thine,-- Improved with steady zeal and care, Would gain rewards divine.