I.

LEAD us, O Father, in the paths of peace;

Without thy guiding hand we go astray,

And doubts appall, and sorrows still increase;
Lead us through Christ, the true and living way.

2.

Lead us, O Father, in the paths of truth;
Unhelped by thee, in error's maze we grope,
While passion stains and folly dims our youth,
And age comes on uncheered by faith or hope.

3.

Lead us, O Father, in the paths of right;

Blindly we stumble when we walk alone, Involved in shadows of a moral night;

Only with thee we journey safely on.

4.

Lead us, O Father, to thy heavenly rest,
However rough and steep the pathway be,
Through joy or sorrow, as thou deemest best,

Until our lives are perfected in thee.

WILLIAM HENRY BURLEIGH, 1812-1871.