The following poem was written by William Cowper and published in the Olney Hymns. It captures well the desire fo parents and the church.<\/p>\n
XXII. Prayer for Children (66-67)<\/p>\n
Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth,
\nThe gift of saving grace;
\nAnd let the seed of sacred truth
\nFall in a fruitful place.<\/p>\n
Grace is a plant, where’er it grows,
\nOf pure and heavenly root;
\nBut fairest in the youngest shows,
\nAnd yields the sweetest fruit.<\/p>\n
Ye careless ones, O hear betimes
\nThe voice of sovereign love!
\nYour youth is stain’d with many crimes,
\nBut mercy reigns above.<\/p>\n
True, you are young, but there’s a stone
\nWithin the youngest breast;
\nOr half the crimes which you have done
\nWould rob you of your rest.<\/p>\n
For you the public prayer is made;
\nOh! join the public prayer!
\nFor you the secret tear is shed:
\nOh shed yourselves a tear!<\/p>\n
We pray that you may early prove
\nThe Spirit’s power to teach;
\nYou cannot be too young to love
\nThat Jesus whom we preach.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The following poem was written by William Cowper and published in the Olney Hymns. It captures well the desire fo parents and the church. XXII. Prayer for Children (66-67) Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth, The gift of saving grace; And let the seed of sacred truth Fall in a fruitful place. Grace is a …<\/p>\n