Prayer for a Blessing
Olney Hymns, William Cowper, from Cowper's Poems, Sheldon & Company, New York
Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth, Grace is a plant, where'er it grows, Ye careless ones, O hear betimes True, you are young, but there's a stone For you the public prayer is made: We pray that you may early proveThe gift of saving grace;
And let the seed of sacred truth
Fall in a fruitful place.
Of pure and heavenly root;
But fairest in the youngest shows,
And yields the sweetest fruit.
The voice of sovereign love!
Your youth is stain'd with many crimes,
But mercy reigns above.
Within the youngest breast;
Or half the crimes which you have done
Would rob you of your rest.
Oh! join the public prayer!
For you the secret tear is shed:
Oh shed yourselves a tear!
The Spirit's power to teach;
You cannot be too young to love
