Poems (Frances Elizabeth Browne)/On the baptism of an infant
ON THE BAPTISM OF AN INFANT.
Creator of the human race,
Almighty Father of mankind,
I humbly bow before thy face,—
O, may my child thy favor find!
Almighty Father of mankind,
I humbly bow before thy face,—
O, may my child thy favor find!
Saviour! obedient to thy word
I bring my infant son to thee;
Accept and bless him, gracious Lord!
Say, "Suffer him to come to me!"
I bring my infant son to thee;
Accept and bless him, gracious Lord!
Say, "Suffer him to come to me!"
Baptized with water all must be,
According to thy plain command,
And cleansed by sovereign grace, as free
As water poureth through the land.
According to thy plain command,
And cleansed by sovereign grace, as free
As water poureth through the land.
Baptized in the most sacred name
Of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
O, may my son thy mercy claim,
And gain the grace by nature lost!
Of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
O, may my son thy mercy claim,
And gain the grace by nature lost!
My cherub boy, thy infant smiles
Bring gladness to thy mother's heart,
Which many a painful thought beguiles,
In which thy future fate hath part.
Bring gladness to thy mother's heart,
Which many a painful thought beguiles,
In which thy future fate hath part.
But He who loved thy helpless race,
And clasped them fondly to his breast,
His providence thy wants embrace!
On this thy parent's hopes must rest.
And clasped them fondly to his breast,
His providence thy wants embrace!
On this thy parent's hopes must rest.
He can through life thy wants supply,
In death, his mercy still can save,
On cherub's wings can make thee fly,
And bear thee safe o'er Jordan's wave.
In death, his mercy still can save,
On cherub's wings can make thee fly,
And bear thee safe o'er Jordan's wave.