God of the prophets! Bless the prophets' sons: Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast; Each age its solemn task may claim but once: Make each one nobler, stronger than the last! | Anoint them prophets! Make their ears attent To thy divinest speech; their hearts awake To human need; their lips make eloquent To assure the right, and every evil break. | Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they For pardon, and for charity and peace! Ah, if with them the world might pass, astray, Into the dear Christ's life of sacrifice! | 411 Anoint them kings! Aye, kingly kings, O Lord! Anoint them with the Spirit of thy Son: Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword; Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won. | Make them apostles! Heralds of thy cross, Forth may they go to tell all realms thy grace: Inspired of thee, may they count all but loss, And stand at last with joy before thy face. | O mighty age of prophet-kings, return! O truth, O faith, enrich our urgent time! Lord Jesus Christ, again with us sojourn: A weary world awaits thy reign sublime! | |