O THOU! to whom the grateful song Of prayer and praise is due, Hear, we entreat, our childish throng, And grant thy blessing too. On those who have so kindly strove Thy precepts to instil; Who strive to teach us how to @3love,@1 And @3do@1 thy holy will; On such, O LORD! thy mercies shed, Who, in this world of wo, Like fountains, with fresh waters fed, Bear blessings as they flow. And may we, planted by such streams, Like flowers, which love to lave Their bending branches in the beams Which warm their parent wave: May we, thus blest, yet humbly bow To THEE, the Source of Love! And drawing nurture from below, Breathe brightness from above. Then shall we, while on earth we live, To thine a comfort be; And wither, but through death to live And endless life with THEE! |