Scripture Verse

Behold, now is the accepted time. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 717. Ad­dress to Youth.

Music: Pia­cen­za, ano­ny­mous, 1874. Ap­peared in Songs of Glo­ry, ed­it­ed by James H. Fill­more (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Fill­more Bro­thers, 1874, page 79 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know the com­pos­er, or where to get a good pic­ture of him or Bed­dome (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Amidst the cheer­ful bloom of youth,
With ar­dent zeal pur­sue
The ways of pi­ety and truth,
With death and Hea­ven in view.

Fair wis­dom’s paths with sweets are strewed,
And plea­sures all re­fined;
There joys di­vine are shed abroad,
That suit th’im­mor­tal mind.

Youth is the most ac­cept­ed time,
To love and serve the Lord;
A flow­er pre­sent­ed in its prime,
Will much de­light af­ford.

He’ll crown with peace your ris­ing years,
And make your fruit in­crease;
Will guide you through this vale of tears,
And bid your sor­rows cease.

Give Him the morn­ing of your days,
And be for ev­er blessed;
’Tis none but those in wis­dom’s ways
Enjoy sub­stan­tial rest.