1 Great God, now condescend
To bless our rising race;
Soon may their willing spirits bend,
The subjects of thy grace.
2 Oh, what a pure delight
Their happiness to see;
Our warmest wishes all unite
To lead their souls to thee.
3 Now bless, thou God of love,
The word of truth divine;
Send thy good Spirit from above,
And make these children thine.
Source: Laudes Domini: a selection of spiritual songs, ancient and modern for use in the prayer-meeting #496
First Line: | Great God, now condescend |
Title: | Prayers for Infants; or Children, Day by Day Given to God |
Author: | John Fellows |
Meter: | 6.6.8.6 |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Great God, now condescend. J. Fellows. [Holy Baptism.] Appeared in his Infants Devoted to God, but not Baptized, 1773, No. 22, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. In 1787, 5 stanzas were given in Rippon's Baptist Selection, as No. 336, and this has become the recognised form of the hymn. It is in extensive use, especially in America, and is one of the best known of Fellows's hymns.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)