A Father To His Child
MY precious boy, go fold thy hands
And lift them to thy God in prayer;
Know that his eye doth o'er thee watch,
For God is everywhere.
Thy heart is full of life and glee,
As warbling birds in Summer's bower;
No thought of ill, my darling boy,
Has curbed thy spirit's power.
Though happy now, thy mother's love
Has shielded thee from every ill
Go pray, my child, that God may spare
Thy mother to thee still.
Bright hope is beaming in thine eye
Thy cup of gladness runneth o'er;
Thy merry shout and sunny smile
Are rife with very joy.
To evil thought, nor unkind word.
Has marred the beauty of thy soul:
But time a wondrous change shall bring.
Upon thy being's whole!
Then bow thy suppliant knee in prayer,
Seek grace and wisdom from above;
To guard thee safe in trial's hour
Go pray, for "God is love."
Go lisp the Saviour's precious name.
And ask of him in accents mild.
To be the object of his care.
That he may bless my child.
YI