University of Virginia Library

---

50

XVI
FOUR HYMNS FOR PUBLIC USE

HYMN FOR INFANT BAPTISM

Lord jesus, Who didst here Thy love
With little children share,
With love from highest heaven behold
And bless this baby fair!
And as we wash with water bright
Our hands from soil of earth,
So in Thy gracious fountain cleanse
The stain of human birth.

As that great Ship athwart the flood
Mankind in safety bore;
As Israel through the Red-Sea gates
Foresaw the promised shore;
As Thou in Jordan river plunged
Didst sanctify the wave:
So on this child Thy blessing pour,
All-Merciful!—and save.

O God with Manhood clothed for us,
Remember Thou the years
Within the Nazaraean home,
Thine infant smiles and tears:
And by that innocence of Thine
Do Thou this dear one free

---

51

From sin of flesh and sin of soul,
And make him one with Thee!

O safe within Thy sacred Ark,
The faithful happy fold,
Through all the pain and joy of life,
The new-born inmate hold!
Guard Thou when gold or pleasure lure,
Or thoughtless selfish sin,
Or blinding doubt, or black despair,
And lead the wanderer in.

Safe, safe within the haven hold,
Whatever storms may rave;
If long or few the allotted days,
His ransom'd spirit save;
So at Thy right-hand may he be,
With those whom Thou shalt own,
On that great Day of Wrath and Love,
Before the Judgment-Throne.