Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:14
Words: Benjamin Williams (1725–1795). Appeared in Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship, edited by William Allen ( Boston, Massachusetts: Leavitt & Lord and D. Burgess, 1835), number 538, from the Salisbury Collection
(1778?). Promise to Believers and Their Children.
Music: Aylesbury Harvey C. Camp, in Bible Songs (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: United Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1879), number 43 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Williams or Camp (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Our children Thou dost claim,
And mark them out for Thine:
Ten thousand blessings to Thy name
For goodness so divine.
Thee let the fathers know,
And Thee the sons adore,
Joined to the Lord in solemn vow,
To be forgot no more.
How great Thy mercies, Lord!
How plenteous is Thy grace,
Which in Thy love and promised word
Includes our rising race.
Our offspring, still Thy care,
Shall own their fathers’ God,
To latest times Thy blessings share,
And sound Thy praise abroad.