CATECHISM: HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. Confiding in Thy truth alone,

Here, on the steps of Jesus' throne, We lay the treasure Thou hast given, To be received and rear'd for heaven. Lent to us for a season, we Lend him for ever, Lord, to Thee; Assured that, if to Thee he live, We gain in what we seem to give. Large and abundant blessings shed, Warm as these prayers upon his head; And on his soul the dews of grace, Fresh as these drops upon his face. Make him and keep him Thine own child,

Meek follower of the Undefiled; Possessor here of grace and love, Inheritor of heaven above. Amen.

455 IN token that thou shalt not Christ crucified to own,[ fear We print the cross upon thee here, And stamp thee His alone.

In token that thou shalt not blush To glory in His name, We blazon here upon thy front His glory and His shame. In token that thou shalt not flinch Christ's quarrel to maintain, But neath His banner manfully Firm at thy post remain. In token that thou too shalt tread The path He travell'd by Endure the cross, despise the shame, And sit thee down on high. Thus outwardly and visibly

We seal thee for His own; And may the brow that wears His

cross

Hereafter share His crown. Amen.

from high, Baptizer of our spirits Thou, The sacramental seal apply, And witness with the water now. Pour forth Thy energy divine,

And sprinkle the atoning blood; May Father, Son, and Spirit join To seal this child a child of God.

Amen.

And, Father, grant nor life nor death From Thee Thy child may sever, Thy soldier true to plighted faith, Thy servant, Thine for ever. Amen.

457 0 God our strength, our hope,

our rock,

Whose promise faileth never, Into Thy chosen blood- bought flock Receive this child for ever.

Now seal'd with Thy thrice holy Name In these baptismal waters, For him a place we humbly claim Among Thy sons and daughters. We stamp the cross upon his brow, The symbol of Thy passion; O Christ, vouchsafe his earliest vow May be his life's confession.

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458 JESUS, we lift our souls to

Thee;

Thy Holy Spirit breathe; And let these little infants be Baptized into Thy death.

Oh let Thine unction on them rest, Thy grace their souls renew; And write within their tender breast Thy name and nature too.

Thy faithful servants let them prove Girded with truth divine; Be sharers in Thy dying love, And followers of Thine.

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

BAPTISM OF SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS.

459 STAND, Soldier of the cross, Thy high allegiance claim, And vow to hold the world but loss For Thy Redeemer's name. Arise, and be baptized, And wash thy sins away:

Thy league with God be solemnized, Thy faith avouch'd to- day.

456 COME, Holy Ghost, descend Apostles, seers, evangelists,

And martyr throngs enroll'd ,­

Our heavenly country now, Our Lord and Master, thine, Receive imprinted on thy brow His passion's awful sign.

No more thine own, but Christ's ,­With all the saints of old,

In God's whole armour strong, Front hell's embattled powers: The warfare may be sharp and long, The victory must be ours.

Oh, bright the conqueror's crown, The song of triumph sweet, When faith casts every trophy down At our great Captain's feet. Amen.

Catechism: Hymns for Children.

460 HOSANNA! raise the pealing

hymn To David's Son and Lord; With Cherubim and Seraphim Exalt the incarnate Word. Hosanna! Lord, our feeble tongue No lofty strains can raise: But Thou wilt not despise the young, Who meekly chant Thy praise.