Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 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 and are Shall be forever thine."

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.