Great God! our Father and our Friend! To Thee our songs of praise ascend. O, bless Thy people everywhere! Fill every heart with praise and prayer.
We thank Thee for the Christian band Who cherish hopes so great and grand; And help us now, O gracious God, To spread Thy mighty truths abroad.
We come with heartfelt love and zeal; And humbly, trustingly we feel Thy presence with us through all time,— Thy grace inspiring, faith sublime.
We know that Thou to man hast given Truths which, like thunderbolts, have riven The clouds of error, doubt and fear, And left Thy "bow of promise" there.
We know Thou doest all things right. Lead Thou Thy children in the light! The Christian's armor let them. wear, Nor error's grievous burdens bear.
O, cleanse our hearts from doubt and sin! Let holy aspirations in; And earnest workers we will be, To reconcile the world to Thee!
May we not call the present time, In God's good providence, sublime? There's room enough for souls to climb High up on shining ground. Each struggling one who humbly pleads, Finds help and strength for all his needs, For work and worship, noblest deeds,— A hero may be crowned.
