Hymns for Children, 45

How sad our state by nature is,
While, enemies to God,
We wander from the way of peace,
And throng the downward road!

As a wild ass's colt is man.
Untaught and unconfined;
Till discipline his will restrain,
And faith inform his mind.

But O, with what reluctant strife
Do men themselves forego!
How late begin the work of life,
How late their Saviour know!

Call'd in the morning of their day,
How few like us are bless'd!
Us, if we now the call obey,
And fly to Jesu's breast.

This, Lord, is our sincere desire,
To find our rest in Thee,
To do whate'er Thy laws require,
In true simplicity:

The inward change, that second birth,
By faith Divine to prove,
And practise all Thy will on earth.
As angels do above.