Father! Thy paternal care
Has my guardian been, my guide:
Every hallowed wish and prayer
Has Thy hand of love supplied:
Thine is every thought of bliss,
Left by hours and days gone by;
Every hope Thine offspring is,
Beaming from futurity.
Every sun of splendid ray;
Every moon that shines serene;
Every morn that welcomes day;
Every evening's twilight scene;
Every hour which wisdom brings;
Every incense at Thy shrine;
These, and all life's holiest things,
And its fairest,-all are Thine.
And for all my hymns shall rise
Daily to Thy gracious throne;
Thither let my asking eyes
Turn unwearied, righteous One!
Through life's strange vicissitude,
There reposing all my care;
Trusting still through ill and good,
Fixed, and cheered, and counselled there.