Hymns for the Use of Families, 47

But if Thou otherwise ordain,
All-gracious as Thou art,
And bring me through the perilous pain
To act a mother's part,
My infant yet unborn receive,
An offering to the sky,
And let it for Thy glory live,
And for Thy glory die.

To Thee, great God, in Jesus' name
Devoted from the womb,
For Thine alone my offspring claim,
And when Thou wilt resume:
My child, Wkzjephtkds daughter, seize,
A sacrifice Divine:
Or if a son his parents bless,
The Nazarite is Thine.

Or in the morning of his day,
Or call him back at noon,
I will not murmur for his stay,
Or cry, He died too soon!
I freely render Thee Thy right,
And in Thy pleasure rest,
For love and wisdom infinite
Must always choose the best.

My every creature-good remove:
But let Thy handmaid gain
The witness of Thy pardoning love,
And still the grace retain;
Retain, by mercy reconciled,
The sense of sin forgiven,
And meet at last my happy child
With all my friends in heaven.