"This Child We Dedicate To Thee"
                               by unknown author
                    Translated by Samuel Gilman, 1791-1858
                                  Text From:
                      THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.217



        1. This child we dedicate to Thee,
        O God of grace and purity;
        Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,
        And let Thy love its life prolong.

        2. Oh, may Thy Spirit gently draw
        Its willing soul to keep Thy Law!
        May virtue, piety, and truth
        Dawn even with its dawning youth!

        3. We, too, before Thy gracious sight
        Once shared the blest baptismal rite
        And would renew its solemn vow
        With love and thanks and praises now.

        4. Grant that with true and faithful heart
        We still may act the Christian's part,
        Cheered by each promise Thou hast given
        And laboring for the prize in heaven.

        _______________________________________
        Notes:
        Hymn #303 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Luke 18:17
        Author: unknown
        Translated by: Samuel Gilman, 1823
        Composer: Lowell Mason, 1830
        Tune: "Uxbridge"
        ______________________________________________________________
        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
             by Debbie Harris and is in the public domain. You may
         freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any
        comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther
                  Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

                          E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu
                                       
          Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
             Phone: (219) 452-2148             Fax: (219) 452-2126
        ______________________________________________________________