O God, Thou faithful God, Thou Fountain ever flowing, Without Whom nothing is All perfect gifts bestowing; O pure and healthy frame O give me, and within A conscience free from blame, A soul unhurt by sin. | And grant me, Lord, to do, With ready heart and willing, Whate'er Thou shalt command, My calling here fulfilling, And do it when I ought, With all my strength, and bless The work I thus have wrought, For Thou must give success. | And let me promise nought But I can keep it truly, Abstain from idle words, And guard my lips still duly; And grant, when in my place I must and ought to speak, 139 My words due power and grace, Nor let me wound the weak. | If dangers gather round, Still keep me calm and fearless; Help me to bear the cross When life is dark and cheerless; To overcome my foe With words and actions kind; When counsel I would know, Good counsel let me find. | And let me be with all In peace and friendship living, As far as Christians may; And if Thou aught art giving Of wealth and honours fair, Oh this refuse me not, That nought be mingled there Of goods unjustly got. | And if a longer life Be here on earth decreed me, And Thou through many a strife To age at last wilt lead me, Thy patience in me shed, Avert all sin and shame, And crown my hoary head With pure untarnish'd fame. | Let nothing that may chance, Me from my Saviour sever; 140 And dying with Him, take My soul to Thee for ever; And let my body have A little space to sleep Beside my fathers' grave, And friends that o'er it weep. | And when the Day is come, And all the dead are waking, Oh reach me down Thy hand, Thyself my slumbers breaking; Then let me hear Thy voice, And change this earthly frame, And bid me aye rejoice With those who love Thy name. | |