By A Collection of Hymns

      C.M. For Parents.
      1 GOD only wise, almighty, good,
      Send forth thy truth and light,
      To point us out the narrow road,
      And guide our steps aright:

      2 To steer our dangerous course between
      The rocks on either hand;
      And fix us in the golden mean,
      And bring our charge to land.

      3 Made apt, by thy sufficient grace,
      To teach as taught by thee,
      We come to train in all thy ways
      Our rising progeny:

      4 Their selfish will in time subdue,
      And mortify their pride;
      And lend their youth a sacred clew
      To find the crucified.

      5 We would in every step look up,
      By thy example taught
      To alarm their fear, excite their hope,
      And rectify their thought.

      6 We would persuade their hearts to obey,
      With mildest zeal proceed;
      And never take the harsher way,
      When love will do the deed.

      7 For this we ask, in faith sincere,
      The wisdom from above,
      To touch their hearts with filial fear,
      And pure, ingenuous love:

      8 To watch their will, to sense inclined;
      Withhold the hurtful food;
      And gently bend their tender mind,
      And draw their souls to God.