Bestow, Dear Lord, Upon Our Youth

Verse 1

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

Verse 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.

Verse 3

Ye careless ones, O hear betimes The voice of sovereign love? Your youth is stained with many crimes, But mercy reigns above.

Verse 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.

Verse 5

For you the public prayer is made, Oh! join the public prayer! For you the secret tear is shed, O shed your selves a tear!

Verse 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.