1 God only wise, almighty, good,
Send forth thy truth and light,
To point us out the narrow road,
And guide our steps aright:
2 To steer our dang'rous course between
The rocks on either hand;
And fix us in the golden mean,
And bring our charge to land.
3 Made apt by thy sufficient grace
To teach as taught by thee,
We come to train in all thy ways
Our rising progeny.
4 Their selfish will in time subdue,
And mortify their pride;
And lend their youth a sacred clew
To find the Crucify'd!
5 We would in ev'ry step look up,
By thy example taught,
T' alarm their fear, excite their hope,
And rectify their thought.
6 We would persuade their heart t' obey,
With mildest zeal proceed;
And never take the harsher way,
When love will do the deed.
7 For this we ask, in faith sincere,
The wisdom from above;
To touch their hearts with filial fear,
And pure, ingenuous love:
8 To watch their will to sense inclin'd
With-hold the hurtful food;
And gently bend their tender mind,
And draw their souls to God.
Source: A Pocket Hymn Book: designed as a constant companion for the pious, collected from various authors (9th ed.) #CCX
Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >
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