Moderation, of the Saint Indeed

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Happy the man whose cautious steps

Author: John Needham
Published in 36 hymnals

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1 Happy the man, whose cautious steps
Still keep the golden mean,
Whose life, by wisdom's rules well form'd
Declares a conscience clean.

2 Not of himself he highly thinks,
Nor acts the boaster's part;
His modest tongue the language speaks
Of his still humbler heart.

3 Not in base scandal's arts he deals,
For truth dwells in his breast;
With grief he sees his neighbour's faults,
And thinks and hopes the best.

4 What blessings bounteous heaven bestows,
He takes with thankful heart;
With temperance he both eats and drinks,
And gives the poor a part.

5 To sect or party, his large soul
Disdains to be confin'd;
The good he loves of every name
And prays for all mankind.

Source: A Collection of Evangelical Hymns #CXXXVI

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Author: John Needham

Needham, John, was the son of John Needham, Baptist Minister, of Hitchin, Herts, but the date of his birth is unknown. He would doubtless be educated by his father, who was a tutor and in repute as a learned man. In 1750 Needham became co-pastor with John Beddome at the Baptist meetinghouse in the Pithay, Bristol; but, two years later, Beddome having retired through age, a violent controversy arose in the Church with regard to a continuance of the plan of co-pastorship. As the result, Needham and a number of his friends removed to a Baptist meetinghouse in Callowhill Street, where a Mr. Foot was pastor. For a time the two societies used the same builing at different hours, but in 1755 they were united, with Mr. Needham and Mr. Foot as co-pa… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Happy the man whose cautious steps
Title:	Moderation, of the Saint Indeed
Author:	John Needham
Meter:	8.6.8.6
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain