O Thou Who makest souls to shine

With light from brighter worlds above;

And droppest glist’ning dew Divine

On all who seek a Saviour’s love.

Do Thou Thy benediction give

On all who teach, on all who learn,

That all Thy Church may holier live,

And every lamp more brightly bum.

Give those that teach pure hearts and wise,

Faith, hope, and love, all warmed by pray’r;

Themselves first training for the skies,

They best will raise their people there.

Give those that learn the willing ear,

The spirit meek, the guiless mind;

Such gifts will make the lowliest here

Far better man a kingdom find.

Oh! bless the shepherd; bless the sheep,

That guide and guided both be one

One, in the faithful watch they keep,

Until this hurrying life be done?

If thus, good Lord, Thy race be giv’n,

Our glory meet us ere we die;

Before we upward pass to Heav’n

We taste our immortality.