1. Blessed Jesus, here we stand,
Met to do as Thou hast spoken,
And this child, at Thy command,
Now we bring to Thee, in token
That to Christ it here is given:
For of such shall be Thy heaven.
2. Yes, Thy warning voice is plain,
And we would obey it duly:
"He who is not born again,
Heart and life renewing truly,
Born of water and the Spirit,
Will my kingdom ne'er inherit."
3. Therefore hasten we to Thee,--
Take the pledge we bring, O take it!
Let us here Thy glory see,
And in tender pity make it
Now Thy child, and leave it never,
Thine of earth, and Thine forever.
4. Wash it, Jesus, in Thy blood
From the sin-stain of its nature;
Let it rise from out this flood
Clothed in Thee, a new-born creature;
May it, washed as Thou hast bidden,
In Thine innocence be hidden.
5. Turn the darkness into light,
To Thy grace receive and save it;
Heal the Serpent's venomed bite
In the font where now we lave it;
Here let flow a Jordan river,
And from leprosy deliver.
6. Make it, Head, Thy member now;
Shepherd, take Thy lamb and feed it;
Prince of peace, its peace be Thou;
Way of life, to heaven lead it;
Vine, this branch may nothing sever,
Graft by faith in Thee forever.
7. Now into Thy heart we pour
Prayers that from our hearts proceeded;
Let our sighing heavenward soar,
Let our warm desires be heeded;
Write the name we now have given,--
Write it in the book of heaven.