FOR THE YOUNG.
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" Be ye followers of GOD, as dear 364 children." HEAVENLY FATHER, send Thy blessOn Thy children gathered here,[ ing May they all, Thy Name confessing, Be to Thee for ever dear: May they be like Joseph, loving, Dutiful, and chaste, and pure; And their faith, like David, proving, Steadfast unto death endure.
Holy SAVIOUR, Who in meekness Didst vouchsafe a Child to be, Guide their steps and help their weak
ness,
Bless and make them like to Thee; Bear Thy lambs when they are weary In Thine arms and at Thy breast, Through life's desert dry and dreary, Bring them to Thy heavenly rest. Spread Thy golden pinions o'er them, HOLY SPIRIT, from above, Gaide them, lead them, go before them, Give them peace, and joy, and love: Thy true temples, HOLY SPIRIT,
May they with Thy glory shine, And immortal bliss inherit,
And for evermore be Thine. Amen
"
" My song shall be alway of the loving 366 kindness of the LORD." COME, sing with holy gladness, High alleluias sing, Uplift your loud hosannas, To JESUS LORD and KING; Sing, boys, in joyful chorns
" He shall feed Fils flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom." 365
GRACIOUS SAVIOUR, gentle Shepherd, Little ones are dear to Thee; Gathered with Thine arms, and carried In Thy bosom may we be; Sweetly, fondly, safely tended,
From all want and danger free. Tender Shepherd, never leave us From Thy fold to go astray By Thy look of love directed
May we walk the narrow way; Thus direct us, and protect us, Lest we fall an easy prey. Cleanse our hearts from sinful folly In the stream Thy love supplied, Mingled stream of Blood and Water, Flowing from Thy wounded Side: And to heavenly pastures lead us
Where Thine own still waters glide. Let Thy holy Word instruct us;
Fill our minds with heavenly light; Let Thy love and grace constrain us To approve whate'er is right, Take Thine easy yoke, and wear it, And to prove Thy burden light. Taught to lisp the holy praises
Which on earth Thy children sing, Both with lips and hearts unfeignèd May we our thank- offerings bring; Ihen, with all the saints in glory, Joth to praise our LORD and KING.
Amen.
Your hymn of praise to- day, And sing, ye gentle maidens, Your sweet responsive lay.
" Tis good for boys and maidens Sweet hymns to CHRIST to sing, ' Tis meet that children's voices Should praise the children's King; For JESUS is salvation,
And glory, grace, and rest; To babe and boy and maiden The one Redeemer blest.
O boys be strong in JESUS, To toil for Him is gain, And JESUS wrought with Joseph, With chisel, saw, and plane; O maidens live for JESUS, Who was a maiden's Son; Be patient, pure and gentle, And perfect grace begun.
Soon in the golden City
The boys and girls shall play, And through the dazzling mansions Rejoice in endless day;
O CHRIST, prepare Thy children With that triumphant throng To pass the burnished portals, And sing th' eternal song. Amen.
" Be not thou ashamed of the testimoa, of our LORD.' 367 THY Cross, O LORD, the holy sign That we, thereafter, should be Thing, Was traced upon our infant brow, And shall we fear to own it now?
O GOD, forbid; before the vain, The proud, the scoffing, the profane, We will, through grace, our LORD confess,
His faint but faithful witnesses.
His strength in weakness Ile displays, From youthful lips He perfects praise, And we, His little soldiers, stand Strong in the might of His right hand.
Smile on us, LORD, and we will fear Nor scorn, nor shame, whilst Thou art
near;
Reproach is glory, suffering rest, If borne for Thee, if by Thee blest.
Great JUDGE of all, in that dread day, When heaven and earth shall flee away, Before the universe confess
Thy faint but faithful witnesses. Amen.