When the young mariner of life
First launches on its stormy sea,
Amid that hurricane of strife,
O God! his refuge is in Thee.

His eager spirits fear no shock,
First rushing on those untried seas,
He does not see the fatal rock,
Which stands to wreck his future peace.

But when, by swift winds borne along,
It bursts upon his troubled view,
In Thee, alone, he then is strong,
'Tis then he finds Thy promise true.

Secure in trust — secure in faith,
Temptation shall assail in vain,
And christian courage, strong as death,
The glorious warfare shall maintain.

In vain shall passion's billows rage,
A tempest in the struggling soul;
Thy word that tempest can assuage,
The spirit owns Thy blest control.

O Father! spread thy guardian arm,
Around the guileless breast of youth,
With life's first generous feeling warm,
Oh! stamp it with Thy heavenly truth.

That when these trying scenes depart,
Unspotted he may turn to Thee,
And innocent in lips and heart,
Adore Thee thro' Eternity.

When the young mariner of life
First launches on its stormy sea,
Amid that hurricane of strife,
O God! his refuge is in Thee.

His eager spirits fear no shock,
First rushing on those untried seas,
He does not see the fatal rock,
Which stands to wreck his future peace.

But when, by swift winds borne along,
It bursts upon his troubled view,
In Thee, alone, he then is strong,
'Tis then he finds Thy promise true.

Secure in trust — secure in faith,
Temptation shall assail in vain,
And christian courage, strong as death,
The glorious warfare shall maintain.

In vain shall passion's billows rage,
A tempest in the struggling soul;
Thy word that tempest can assuage,
The spirit owns Thy blest control.

O Father! spread thy guardian arm,
Around the guileless breast of youth,
With life's first generous feeling warm,
Oh! stamp it with Thy heavenly truth.

That when these trying scenes depart,
Unspotted he may turn to Thee,
And innocent in lips and heart,
Adore Thee thro' Eternity.