To Thine eternal arms, O God,

Take us, Thine erring children, in;

From dangerous paths too boldly trod,

From wandering thoughts and dreams of sin.

Those arms were round our childish ways,

A guard through helpless years to be;

O leave not our maturer days,

We still are helpless without Thee!

We trusted hope and pride and strength:

Our strength proved false, our pride was vain,

Our dreams have faded all at length,—

We come to Thee, O Lord, again!

A guide to trembling steps yet be!

Give us of Thine eternal powers!

So shall our paths all lead to Thee,

And life smile on like childhood’s hours.