Mothers' Meetings

1010 "Lord, have Mercy on my Son."

1 WITHIN these peaceful walls, O Lord, A fond parental band Have met, Thy goodness to record, And seek Thy guiding hand.

2 If e'er a parent's prayerful strain Hath gain'd Thy listening ear, O Saviour, now in mercy deign Our ardent cry to hear.

3 'Tis for our children, Lord, we plead, Dear objects of our care:

Dangers on every side are spread:

Save them from every snare.

Thomas Hastings, 1834

1011 Pleading for our Children

1 O LORD, behold us at Thy feet, A needy, sinful band: As suppliants round Thy mercy-seat, We come at Thy command.

2 'Tis for our children we would plead, The offspring Thou hast given; Where shall we go, in time of need, But to the God of heaven?

3 We ask not for them wealth or fame, Amid the worldly strife;

But, in the all-prevailing name, We ask eternal life.

4 We crave the Spirit's quickening grace, To make them pure in heart, That they may stand before Thy face, And see Thee as Thou art.

Thomas Hastings, 1834

1012 Prayer to Jesus for our little Ones

1 JESUS, Thou wast once a child, Meek, obedient, pure, and mild;

Such may our dear children be!

Teach them, Lord, to follow Thee.

2 Thou didst grow in grace and truth, Up from infancy to youth; May we, Lord, our children see, Striving thus to copy Thee.

3 Subject to Thy parents' word, When their least command was heard, May we, Lord, our children see Thus obedient unto Thee!

4 At Thy heavenly Father's voice, Thou in duty didst rejoice;

Changed by grace, O Lord, would we See our children follow Thee!

James Gabb, 1864, a

1013 Not one left to perish

1 GRACIOUS Lord, our children see, By Thy mercy we are free: But shall these, alas! remain Subjects still of Satan's reign?

Israel's young ones when of old Pharaoh threaten'd to withhold;

Then Thy messenger said. "No;

Let the children also go."

2 When the angel of the Lord, Drawing forth His dreadful sword, Slew with an avenging hand All the first-born of the land;

Then Thy people's door he pass'd, Where the bloody sign was placed;

Hear us, now upon our knees, Plead the blood of Christ for these.

3 Lord, we tremble, for we know How the fierce malicious foe, Wheeling round his watchful flight, Keeps them ever in his sight:

Spread Thy pinions! King of kings!

Hide them safe beneath Thy wings;

Lest the ravenous bird of prey Stoop, and bear the brood away.

William Cowper, 1779.

1014 Our Father, hear us.

1 THOU, who a tender Parent art, Regard a parent's plea: Our offspring, with an anxious heart, We now commend to Thee.

2 Our children are our greatest care, A charge which Thou hast given: In all Thy graces let them share, And all the joys of heaven.

3 If a centurion could succeed, Who for his servant cried;

Wilt Thou refuse to hear us plead, For those so near allied!

4 On us Thou hast bestow'd Thy grace, Be to our children kind;

Among Thy saints give them a place, And leave not one behind.

5 Happy we then shall live below, The remnant of our days: And when to brighter worlds we go, Shall long resound Thy praise.

Rowland Hill? 1808

1015 Save our Children

1 GOD of mercy, hear our prayer For the children Thou hast given;

Let them all Thy blessings share, Grace on earth, and bliss in heaven!

2 In the morning of their days May their hearts be drawn to Thee;

Let them learn to lisp Thy praise In their earliest infancy.

3 Cleanse their souls from every stain, Through the Saviour's precious blood;

Let them all be born again, And be reconciled to God.

4 For this mercy, Lord, we cry;

Bend Thine ever-gracious ear;

While on Thee our souls rely, Hear our prayer, in mercy hear!

Thomas Hastings, 1834.

1016 Parents pleading

1 FATHER of all, before Thy throne, Grateful but anxious parents bow;

Look in paternal mercy down, And yield the boon we ask Thee now.

2 'Tis not for wealth, or joys of earth, Or life prolong'd we seek Thy face;

'Tis for a new and heavenly birth, Tis for the treasures of Thy grace.

3 Tis for their souls' eternal joy, For rescue from the coming woe: Do not our earnest suit deny, We cannot, cannot let Thee go.

John Howard Hinton, 1833