Chapter 110
1 See Israel's gentle Shepherd stand, With all-engaging charms; Hark! how he calls the tender lambs, And folds them in his arms!
2 "Permit them to approach," he cries, "Nor scorn their humble name; For 'twas to bless such souls as these, The Lord of angels came."
3 We bring them, Lord, in thankful hands, And yield them up to thee; Joyful that we ourselves are thine, Thine let our offspring be.
4 Ye little flock, with pleasure hear; Ye children, seek his face, And fly with transport to receive The blessings of his grace.
5 If orphans they are left behind, G.o.d's guardian care we trust; That care shall heal our bleeding hearts, If weeping o'er their dust.
666. C. M. Stennett.
Infants, living or dying, in the Arms of Christ.
1 Thy life I read, my dearest Lord, With transport all-divine; Thine image trace in every word, Thy love in every line.
2 With joy, I see a thousand charms Spread o'er thy lovely face; While infants in thy tender arms Receive the smiling grace.
3 "I take these little lambs," said he, "And lay them on my breast; Protection they shall find in me,-- In me be ever blest.
4 "Death may the bands of life unloose, But can't dissolve my love; Millions of infant souls compose The family above."
5 His words, ye happy parents, hear, And shout, with joys divine, "Dear Saviour! all we have
667. L. M. W. Boston Coll.
Dedication of Children.
1 This child we dedicate to thee, O G.o.d of grace and purity; s.h.i.+eld it from sin and threatening wrong, And let thy love its life prolong.
2 O, may thy Spirit gently draw Its willing soul to keep thy law; May virtue, piety and truth Dawn even with its dawning youth.
3 Grant that, with true and faithful heart, We too may act the Christian's part, Cheered by each promise thou hast given, And laboring for the prize in heaven.
668. 8s. & 7s. M. Anonymous.
Children commended to Christ.
1 Saviour, who thy flock art feeding With the shepherd's kindest care, All the feeble gently leading, While the lambs thy bosom share,--
2 Now, these little ones receiving, Fold them in thy gracious arm; There, we know--thy word believing,-- Only there, secure from harm.
3 Never, from thy pasture roving, Let them be the lion's prey; Let thy tenderness, so loving, Keep them all life's dangerous way.
4 Then within thy fold eternal Let them find a resting-place; Feed in pastures ever vernal, Drink the rivers of thy grace.
669. S. M. Doddridge.
Christ calling Children to Himself.
1 The Saviour gently calls Our children to his breast; He folds them in his gracious arms; Himself declares them blest.
2 "Let them approach," he cries, "Nor scorn their humble claim; The heirs of heaven are such as these,-- For such as these I came."
3 Gladly we bring them, Lord, Devoting them to thee: Imploring, that, as we are thine, Thine may our offspring be.
670. 7s. M. Bowring.
Infant Baptism.
1 Drop the limpid waters now On the infant's sinless brow; Dedicate the unfolding gem Unto Him, who blessed the stem.
2 Let our aspirations be Innocent as infancy; Pure the prayers that force their way, As the child for whom we pray.
3 In the Christian garden we Plant another Christian tree; Be its blossoms and its fruit Worthy of the Christian root.
4 To that garden now we bring Waters from the living spring; Bless the tree, the waters bless, Holy One! with holiness.
5 When life's harvests all are past, Oh, transplant the tree at last, To the fields where flower and tree Blossom through eternity.
671. C. M. Doddridge.
Hymn for Baptism.