Classic Poem

Of God's many gifts unto men,
Of the works that in man He hath wrought,
Oh! how great is the gift of our speech,
Of the tongue that bewordeth each thought.

How wondrous in wordshaping man
Is the gift of the voicing of song,
The sweet wording of love and of joy,
The sweet-tuning of tongues in a throng.

And what shall we give to the Lord?
And what gifts against His can we bring?
But to lift up our voice in His praise,
To His praise, and His glory, to sing.

So bless, O Lord, the teacher here
With loving care and teaching skill,
And help the learners' minds to take
Their daily lore with ready will.

And let them to their mindfood come,
Without an evil word or brawl,
In love and peace, as harmless sheep
In fields with food for more than all.

And may they all for ever hold
The helpful lore they here may win,
And use it still for happy ends,
And never in the ways of sin.

And make Thou those who help to light
Our children on their better way
To shine, by Thy light, more and more
To heaven's ever glorious day.