Words: , 1876.

Music: Win­che­ster New, Mu­sik­al­isch­es Hand­buch (Ham­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1690); har­mo­nized by , 1847, alt..


Eternal One, Thou living God,
Whom changing years unchanged reveal,
With Thee their way our fathers trod;
The hand they held, in ours we feel.

The same our trust, the same our need,
In sorrow’s stress, in duty’s hour;
We keep their faith, by Thee decreed,
That faith the fount of all our power.

We bless Thee for the growing light;
Th’advancing thought, the wid’ning view,
The larger freedom, clearer sight,
Which from the old unfolds the new.

With wider view, come loftier goal;
With fuller light, more good to see;
With freedom, truer self control,
With knowledge, deeper reverence be.

Anew we pledge ourselves to Thee,
To follow where Thy truth shall lead;
Afloat upon its boundless sea,
Who sails with God is safe indeed!