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HYMN TO CHRIST.

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ATTRIBUTED TO CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA.

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[Transcribed by "D" for the London Congregational Magazine."]

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Oh Thou, the wild will's tamer!
The wand'ring wing's reclaimer!
Our seaward pathway's framer,
                Hear praise!

Shepherd, that goest before us!
Guardian that watchest o'er us!
Receive our hymned chorus--
                Our simple lays!

Thee, o'er thy saints who reignest,
Thy foes too who restrainest,
Who wisdom downward rainiest,
                We laud!

Thou lightenest toil's condition,
Sin finds in thee remission,
Thou only soul's physician!
                  Our Saviour God!

The heart's wide waste thou tillest!
Our bark to guide thou skillest!
Thou checkest as thou willest
                 Our ways!

Wing, for our sustentation!
Net, for our reclamation!
From every bait's temptation!
                  Ancient of days!

Lead, Lord of lambs, the lowly!
Lead, King of saints, the holy!
Lead, far from sin and folly,
                   To thee!

Love's fountain, ever brimming!
Way, Word, and Light undimming!
Lifebreath of infants hymning
                 Their choristry!

Heaven's breast for nurture pressing,
The Spirit's dews possessing,
Be, Christ, for every blessing
                   Adored!

Sing, mates, the Son of woman,
Once cradled here as human:
True God--but not less true man--
              The Christ--the Lord!

Ye babes upon the bosom,
Ye youth in manhood's blossom,
Sing Christ, and early choose him,
                  Our peace!

Sing guilelessly the Giver
Of mercy like a river.
And him, O let us live for
          Till life shall ceas[page torn]