And of parents to their children; Thanks for the new meaning to life We praise thee for him, the Saviour of souls; We thank thee that we may call him dear and precious. May we love him as coming from the bosom of the Father; May we give to him our young and fresh hearts; May he have heathen lands for his inheritance, The uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, Till all flesh shall see his salvation: And to thy holy name be the glory. Amen. VI. THANKS FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. FATHER of all the children of men ! Though dwelling in the high and lofty place, Thou art with them also of a lowly heart. We thank thee that to our humble prayer Thou wilt turn a listening ear. Thou lovest them that love thee: Those that seek thee early shall find thee. We praise thee that we have been taught of God. We thank thee that the Sabbath morning To learn the way of eternal life. O God, how good hast thou been to us, In sending thy Son to save us; In handing down to us thy Word of truth; That bind us to one another and to thee! O Father, we cannot speak our thanks ! To us may the hours of this day be holy; Here may we listen to the voice of instruction; Here may we feel the presence of Jesus; And, cherishing his words and spirit in our hearts, For duties in which we shall need thy light, Brings none of the lessons, enjoyments, and hopes To the dark places of the earth, To distant lands and heathen isles, And all thy children share thy salvation. Amen. VII. ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING. GREAT and good Father in heaven, From our happy homes we come, Here to utter forth thy praise. The bright light of thy sun, The pure air we breathe, The lilies of the field, The birds of the air, The order and bounty of thy universe, Through us may they find a voice: We would utter our and their praise. With children of unnumbered Sunday schools, |