1 O God, in Whose all-searching eye
Thy servants stand, to ratify
The vow baptismal, by them made,
When first Thy hand was on them laid;
Bless them, O Holy Father, bless,
Who Thee, with heart and voice confess;
May they, acknowledged as Thine own,
Stand evermore before Thy throne.
2 O Christ, Who didst at Pentecost
Send down from heaven the Holy Ghost;
And at Samaria baptize
Those whom Thou didst evangelize;
And then on Thy baptized confer
The best of gifts, the Comforter,
By apostolic hands, and prayer;
Be with us now, as Thou wert there.
3 Arm these Thy soldiers, mighty Lord,
With shield of faith, and Spirit's sword;
Forth to the battle may they go,
And boldly fight against the foe,
With banner of the cross unfurled,
And by it overcome the world;
And so at last receive from Thee
The palm and crown of victory.
4 Come, ever blessèd Spirit, come,
And make Thy servant's hearts Thy home;
Thus consecrated, Lord, to Thee,
May each a living temple be.
Enrich that temple's holy shrine
With sevenfold gifts of grace divine;
With wisdom, light, and knowledge, bless,
Strength, counsel, fear, and godliness.
Amen.
Source: The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892. (Ed. B) #211