Scripture Verse

Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 19:14

Introduction

portrait
W. Howard Doane (1832–1915)

Words: George C. Lo­ri­mer, in Bright­est and Best, ed­it­ed by Ro­bert Low­ry & How­ard Doane (New York and Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Big­low & Main, 1875), num­ber 114.

Music: W. How­ard Doane (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
George C. Lorimer
1838–1904

Lyrics

O Je­sus, we bless Thee for that dear word,
The mo­thers of Salem so glad­ly heard;
The word that was ten­der­ly breathed by Thee,
O suf­fer the child­ren to come to Me.

Refrain

Blessèd Sav­ior, we bring them,
Thine, Thine for­ev­er to be;
Yes, Thy mercy so ten­der
Calleth the child­ren to Thee.

We thank Thee that child­ren can come and share
Thy per­fect re­demp­tion, Thy love and care;
That Thou dost per­mit them Thy lambs to be,
And kind­ly in­vite them to come to Thee.

Refrain

May we who in­struct them be well sup­plied
With wis­dom to arm them, and grace to guide;
O may our ex­am­ple and words agree,
While try­ing to lead them, dear Lord, to Thee.

Refrain

And when at the judg­ment we all ap­pear,
O, grant us a wel­come of joy to hear;
Permit us the light of Thy smile to see,
And bring the dear lambs of the fold to Thee.

Refrain