Page:Olney Hymns - 1840.djvu/200

196 5 And when before thee we appear, In our eternal home, May growing numbers worship here, And praise thee in our room.

1 BESTOW, dear Lord, upon our youth The gift of saving grace ; And let the seed of sacred truth Fall in a fruitful place.

2 Grace is a plant, where er it grows, Of pure and heav nly root; But fairest in the youngest shows, And yields the sweetest fruit.

3 Ye careless ones, hear betimes The voice of sovereign love ! Your youth is stain d with many crimes, But mercv reigns above.

4 True, you are young, but there s a stone Within the youngest breast ; Or half the crimes which you have done Would rob you of your rest.

5 For you the public prayer is made, Oh ! join the public prayer ; For you the sacred tear is shed, Oh ! shed yourselves a tear.

6 We pray that you may early prove The Spirit s power to teach ; You cannot be too young to love That Jesus whom we preach.

I Now may fervent prayer arise, Wing d with faith, and pierce the skies ; Fervent prayer shall bring us down Gracious answers from the throne.