O Thou who makest souls to shine

1 O thou who makest souls to shine
with light from lighter worlds above,
and droppest glistening dew divine
on all who seek a Saviour’s love;

2 do thou thy benediction give
on all who teach, on all who learn,
that all thy church may holier live,
and every lamp more brightly burn.

3 Give those who teach pure hearts and wise,
faith, hope, and love, all warmed by prayer;
themselves first training for the skies,
they best will raise their people there.

4 Give those who learn the willing ear,
the spirit meek, the guileless mind;
such gifts will make the lowliest here
far better than a kingdom find.

5 O bless the shepherd; bless the sheep:
that guide and guided both be one,
one in the faithful watch they keep,
until this hurrying life be done.

6 If thus, good Lord, thy grace be given,
in thee to live, in thee to die,
before we upward pass to heaven,
we taste our immortality.

Source: CPWI Hymnal #702