St. John Baptist's Day.
| 1 |
To Thee, Almighty God, to Thee no let, no hindrance e’er can be; Thy providence commands the way, and nature’s powers Thy word obey. |
| 2 |
Thou mad’st the parents’ hearts rejoice; Thou bad’st arise the appointed voice; Thou call’st the Baptist forth to teach repentance, and return to preach. |
| 3 |
“Repent, repent, hear ye the word! Prepare your hearts to see the Lord! He comes! I but prepare the way, baptize, and cry, ‘Repent’ alway!” |
| 4 |
O God, Thy servant truly taught, John Baptist wonderfully wrought; so follow we his holy life, like him maintain such sacred strife. |
| 5 |
From us may never sin beguile the glozing word, or careless smile; though sinners may our hearts entice, O make us bold to answer vice. |
| 6 |
Give us most patiently to take suffering or shame for that truth’s sake; the truth of God, for which our Lord vouchsafed His blood to seal His word. |
Information
| Text | attr. Eliza Humphreys |
| Tune | Quebec Henry Baker (1854) |
Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son, our Savior, by preaching of repentance; make us so to follow this doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.