Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalm 8:5
Words: Samuel Longfellow, Hymns of the Spirit 1864.
Music: Brookfield Thomas B. Southgate, 1855 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Southgate (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Go forth to life, O child of earth!
Still mindful of thy heav’nly birth;
Thou art not here for ease, or sin,
But manhood’s noble crown to win.
Tho’ passion’s fires are in thy soul,
Thy spirit can their flames control;
Tho’ tempters strong beset thy way,
Thy spirit is more strong than they.
Go on from innocence of youth
To manly purity and truth;
God’s angels still are near to save,
And God Himself doth help the brave.
Then forth to life, O child of earth!
Be worthy of thy heav’nly birth!
For noble service thou art here;
Thy brothers help, thy God revere!