[1729]Toulon:

Louis Bourgeois, 1551;

Alt., C. Goudimel

Denis Wortman, 1884

God of the prophets! Bless the prophets' sons:

Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast;

Each age its solemn task may claim but once:

Make each one nobler, stronger than the last!

Anoint them prophets! Make their ears attent

To thy divinest speech; their hearts awake

To human need; their lips make eloquent

To assure the right, and every evil break.

Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they

For pardon, and for charity and peace!

Ah, if with them the world might pass, astray,

Into the dear Christ's life of sacrifice!

Anoint them kings! Aye, kingly kings, O Lord!

Anoint them with the Spirit of thy Son:

Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword;

Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won.

Make them apostles! Heralds of thy cross,

Forth may they go to tell all realms thy grace:

Inspired of thee, may they count all but loss,

And stand at last with joy before thy face.

O mighty age of prophet-kings, return!

O truth, O faith, enrich our urgent time!

Lord Jesus Christ, again with us sojourn:

A weary world awaits thy reign sublime!

Amen.