Words: . Hoss wrote this hymn for a bap­tism cer­e­mo­ny he con­duct­ed at the White River Con­fer­ence at Wal­nut Ridge, Ar­kan­sas, in No­vem­ber 1903. It ap­peared in print soon there­af­ter in the Nash­ville, Ten­nes­see, Christ­ian Ad­vo­cate.

Music: Bap­tism, (1858-1931).

O God, great Father, Lord and King!
Our children unto Thee we bring;
And strong in faith, and hope, and love,
We dare Thy steadfast Word to prove.

Thy covenant kindness did of old
Our fathers and their seed enfold;
That ancient promise standeth sure,
And shall while heaven and earth endure.

Look down upon us while we pray,
And visit us in grace today;
These little ones in mercy take
And make them Thine for Jesus’ sake.

While they the outward sign receive,
Wilt Thou Thy Holy Spirit give,
And keep and help them by Thy power
In every hard and trying hour.

Guide Thou their feet in holy ways:
Shine on them through the darkest days;
Uphold them till their life be past,
And bring them all to heaven at last.