Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth

The words

1. 1

   Stanza 1. Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youthThe gift of saving grace;And let the seed of sacred truthFall in a fruitful place.

2. 2

   Stanza 2. Grace is a plant, where’er it grows,Of pure and heav’nly root;But fairest in the youngest shows,And yields the sweetest fruit;

3. 3

   Stanza 3. Ye careless ones, O hear betimesThe voice of sovereign love!Your youth is stained with many crimes,But mercy reigns above.

4. 4

   Stanza 4. True, you are young, but there’s a stoneWithin the youngest breast;Or half the crimes which you have done.Would rob you of your rest.

5. 5

   Stanza 5. For you the public prayer is made,O! join the public prayer!For you the secret tear is shed,O shed yourselves a tear.

6. 6

   Stanza 6. We pray that you may early proveThe Spirit’s power to teach;You cannot be too young to loveThat JESUS whom we preach.

Olney Hymns (1779), Book 2, Hymn 8. William Cowper. Public domain. CCEL transcription with modernized spelling. www.praylock.com/olney-hymns/2-8