LITTLE HYMN.

For the child of a dear friend.

1.

When the evergreens hung round,

And the Christmas bells did sound,

Saviour, then they told of thee,

Thou wast once a child like me:

Hear me then, my Saviour mild,

Hear, and love a little child.

2.

Since for me thou camest to die,

I, like thee to live, will try;

Thou for me didst poor become,

And a manger was thine home:

Oh for all thou didst endure,

Help me Lord, to love the poor.

3.

Smiling on the Virgin’s knee,

Brightly went the day with thee;

Peace and love were round thee shed,

And God’s angels watched thy bed;

So may I improve the light,

So be guarded safe by night.

4.

Help me too, like thee to grow

Dear to God, and man below!

And from childhood’s guileless heart,

Saviour, let me never part,

Since like children, all must be,

Who, at last, would live with thee!