Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38
Words: Christoph F. Neander, 1793 (Dir, Herr, sei dieses Kind empfohlen). Translated from German to English by Samuel S. Gilman, 1823.
Music: Maryton H. Percy Smith, in Church Hymns with Tunes (London: 1874) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Neander or Smith (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
This child we dedicate to Thee,
O God of grace and purity!
Shield it from sin and threatening wrong,
And let Thy love its life prolong.
O may Thy Spirit gently draw
Its willing soul to keep Thy law;
May virtue, piety, and truth,
Dawn even with its dawning youth!
We, too, before Thy gracious sight
Once shared the blest baptismal rite,
And would renew its solemn vow,
With love, and thanks, and praises now.
Grant that, with true and faithful heart,
We still may act the Christian’s part,
Cheered by each promise Thou hast giv’n,
And laboring for the prize in Heav’n.