6 And Thou, soul-searching God! hast known
The hearts of all that bent the knee,
And all their prayers have reached Thy throne,
In soul and truth who worshipped Thee.

1 WHEN from the Jordan's gleaming wave Came forth the Sinless One,

A voice athwart the heavens flashed, "Lo! my beloved son!”

2 The Baptist, gazing on his face, With the soul's radiance bright, Beheld upon his sacred head

A snow-white dove alight.

3 Now with baptismal waters touched, Thy children, Father, see!

While heart and soul, and mind and strength, They consecrate to Thee.

4 Send down on them Thy holy dove, Thy spirit undefiled;

Be each in purity and faith

Thy well-beloved child!

5 O help them in the wilderness
To conquer doubt and sin;

To see above them still Thy Peace,
And hear Thy voice within!

377.

L. M.

BAPTISM OF A CHILD.

W. BOSTON COLL

1 THIS child we dedicate to Thee,
O God of grace and purity!

Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,
And let Thy love its life prolong.

2 O, may Thy spirit gently draw
Its willing soul to keep Thy law;
May virtue, piety, and truth,

Dawn even with its dawning youth!

3 We, too, before Thy gracious sight,
Once shared the blest baptismal rite,
And would renew its solemn vow,
With love, and thanks, and praises, now.
4 Grant that, with true and faithful heart.
We still may act the Christian's part,
Cheered by each promise Thou hast given,
And laboring for the prize in heaven.

378.

S. M.

DISCIPLES' H. B

BAPTISM OF A CHILD.

i To Thee, O God in heaven,

This little one we bring,

Giving to Thee what Thou hast given,
Our dearest offering.

2 Into a world of toil

These little feet will roam,
Where sin its purity may soil,

Where care and grief may come.

3 O, then, let Thy pure love,
With influence serene,

Come down, like water, from above,
To comfort and make clean!

379.

S. M.

DISCIPLES' H. B

BAPTISM OF CHILDREN.

1 To Him who children blest,
And suffered them to come,

To Him who took them to his breast,
We bring these children home.

2 To Thee, O God, whose face
Their spirits still behold,

We bring them, praying that Thy grace
May keep, Thine arms enfold."

3 And as this water falls

On each unconscious brow,
Thy holy spirit grant, O Lord,
To keep them pure as now!

380.

C. M.

GASKELL

MARRIAGE HYMN

WE join to pray, with wishes kind,

A blessing, Lord, from Thee,

On those who now the bands have twined, Which ne'er may broken be.

2 We know that scenes not always bright
Must unto them be given;

But let there shine o'er all the light
Of love, and truth, and heaven.

3 Still hand in hand, their journey through
Meek pilgrims may they go;
Mingling their joys as helpers true,
And sharing every woe.

4 In faith, and trust, and heart, the same, The same their home above;

381.

May each in each still feed the flame
Of pure and holy love.

1 FATHER, in Thy presence now
Has been pledged the nuptial vow;
Heart to heart, as hand in hand,
Linked in one Thy children stand.

2 God of love! this union bless,
Not with earth's low happiness;
But with joys whose heavenly spring
Shall diviner raptures bring.

3 May these blended souls be found
Firm in duty's active round;
Daily every burden share,

Nightly seek Thy shadowing care.

4 When against their trembling forms
Shoot the arrows of life's storms;
Or when age and sickness wait
Heralds at life's parting gate;-

In the fulness of belief,

May they look beyond the grief;
And together fearless tread

In the path where Thou shalt lead.

382.

L. M.

DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.

NORTON

1 WHERE ancient forests widely spread,
Where bends the cataract's ocean-fall;
On the lone mountain's silent head,
There are Thy temples, God of all!
2 The tombs Thine altars are; for there,
When earthly loves and hopes have fled,
To Thee ascends the spirit's prayer,
Thou God of the immortal dead!

3 All space is holy, for all space

Is filled by Thee;-but human thought
Burns clearer in some chosen place,
Where Thine own words of love are taught.

4 Here be they taught; and may we know
That faith Thy servants knew of old,
Which onward bears, through weal or woe,
Till death the gates of heaven unfold.
5 Nor we alone; may those whose brow
Shows yet no trace of human cares
Hereafter stand where we do now,
And raise to Thee still holier prayers.

383.

C. M.

BRYANT.

DEDICATION HYMNS.

IO THOU, whose own vast temple stands

Built over earth and sea,

Accept the walls that human hands
Have raised to worship Thee!