Father, and may a little child

1 Father, and may a little child
From sin and death be free;
Say, dare a child by sin defiled,
By faith look unto thee?
Dear Savior, on my bended knee,
I fall before thy throne;
O! Savior, hear my dying plea,
And claim me as thine own.

2 Lord, when thou passed thro' Galilee,
And many wonders wrought;
Thou beckoned children unto thee,
And said "forbid them not."
I own I've wandered far from home,
And grieved thy Spirit, Lord;
But with a broken heart, I come
To claim thy precious word.

3 O Lord, be merciful to me,
And wash my guilt away!
The Scriptures teach us "mercy's free,"
Then teach me, Lord to pray.
Lord, I am weak, but thou art great,
Thy smile can move the load;
Here on my heart there is a weight,
Remove it, O my God!

4 Come, Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep,
My soul for heav'n prepare;
And guide my footsteps, Lord, and keep
Thy lambs from ev'ry snare;
For Satan with malicious art,
Our wand'rings doth implore,
And watches each unguarded heart,
And strives to win us o'er!

Source: Pearly Gates: a collection of new songs for the Sunday school, prayer meeting, and social circle #11