Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-09-23
a FATHERS 5 YRAYER.


At this hushed hour when all my children sleep.
Here in thy presence. gracious God. knesI;
And while the tears Of grStitsas weep
Would Poar TIE prayer which gsatitl4s aast feel
Parental love! o, set thy holy seal
On these s0a hearts which thou to me has sent;
Repel tempt iicn, guard their bitfsr wed,
Be thy pure Spirit 70 their frailty lent.
And lead sben in the path their e1nt sAsi0GE zsaE-
I ask not for them sminencetE Eealth--t
FOr these. in VISIONS view, arr sriains tsyas
{ But ocoas-AIiou- competence, and beAith,
Thy love, thy presence and tee lasting tsys.
That fjw theTefron; the passion vSieh sEapiosS
The breasts OF holy mem and mus TO 5e
From all that taints Or darkens, or destroys
The strength OF principles. iOr ever ZEE:
This y tbe better boon. 0 Gvd, ask Il lisa
This world know Is but nsrT0w bridge.
And .reaeasrJas w.ters roar aud Ioam bei0s:
VIA feeble feet We wax tss wSs6es ndgs.
whi-a crsaks and shakes beneath Se gsi
Some IaA ty accident, and ia50sanis throw
Their bodies hsadiug n sle hansry stream;
Some sink by secret means, Eevvr know
The hand which strlGk from their raasent dream
TIL wisdom wakes in data and il Despair they N
E Tfthese s5ft feet which nov these feathers press.
Are doomed the path a. ran sSla to trssd;
II vice, eoasauled il hsr u7sPottea dress.
u soon TO turn 10 her polluted bed;
Il thy forsseeing eye discerns a thread
OF sable guilt, Inpelling on their doom.
o, spare them nos-in mercy strike them dead
Prepare for theu early, see' me tomb,
Ner for etsrnl blight lie, my false blossoms bloom
Bat If some useful psth before them lie,
Whers toey may walk oSedisuf 70 the laws
Though never bAsking Ia srl5iiiOn's eye,
And Panpered lever With l. worlds aPplaassi
Active, yet hunbs, Vi. taols too. the causs
OF virtue in the dwellings whSIe they dweH.
Still following where thy perfect Spirits dTsms
Releasing others from the bands Of he'll
Iffhis be lie. then let them longer I've is Esn
And teach me. Power Supreme. in their sresa dA5s.
With meakest skill. thy lessons to rpars-
To shun the hariot and to show the mszs
Through which her hOneysd aocsnts rsGch the heart.
Help them to learn, without she bitter smart
On bad experience, vices 10 decline.
From reAchery, talsehoodt knsvery mag they start
as from hidden snake; from woman, vine,
From all the galty Paags ait 'ica such sccaes ooU-
b;7e
How soft they slesp, what inI,aeszt Feposs
Rests on their eyes, from older souows trei
Sweet babes. TIE curtain would not unclose,
WhicL wraps thefutgre from yonr minds and ne.
But Heavenly Father, leaving them with thee.
Whether or high or low may lie their lot.
Or early death. life await thefn--hs
Their Guardian. Ssyigr GEids. aud bless the spot
Where they shall i've diei tili death Erake them not
Though prosecutions arches Ger them spread.
Or ii. khess undermine consuming slow;
Though they should lead the lite thelrsavior led.
And bis deep poverty be doOm-d TO know;
nj
! give them up TO thse-tbey not mine.
A0I could call the swtsst winds that blow
To bear them ifOn me % the Pole OF Line.
la Distant lands to paat the Gospels beejnS shrine
When as a scroll these heavens shan pass asay.
When the cold grave shall OheF Ep hi4truzt.
wnen seas shall burn, and the last dresdfni Gay.
Restores the spirit to its scattered dust.
Then, "a u most mereiiul, As vel as jlst.
Let not ms eye. when el ments tossed
Ia wild confusion, see the darkest. worst
OF plinfal tights. that ever parent crossed,
Hear NY sad, earnest prayer 4SD LxF SOF NINE
LOST.