V.—Praise for Birth and Education in
the Christian Land.
1Great God! to thee my voice I raise,
to thee my youngest hours belong;
I would begin my hours with praise,
till growing years improve the song.
2'Tis to thy sov'reign grace I owe
that I was born on British ground,
Where streams of heavenly mercy flow.
and words of sweet salvation sound,
3I would not change my native land
for rich Peru, with all her gold:
A nobler prize lies in any hand
than East, or Western Indies hold.
4How do I pity those that dwell
where ignorance and darkness reign;
They know no heaven they fear no hell,
the endless joy, the endless pain!
5Thy glorious promises, O Lord!
kindle my hope and my desire:
While all the preachers of thy word
warn me to scape eternal fire.
6Thy praise shall still employ my breath,
since thou hast mark'd my way to heaven,
Nor will I run the road to death,
and waste the blessings thou hast given.