1 On this our festal day,
We in thy courts appear;
To thee our grateful vows to pay,
O thou whom angels fear.

2 And wilt thou condescend
To own our sacrifice,
And let the waiting heavens bend
To lift it to the skies.

3 Taught by thy word of truth,
That children came to thee,—
We come, a company of youth,
Before thy majesty.

4 Lord, we have ever been
The children of thy care;
And as a father we have seen
That thou dost with us bear.

5 Thou we have often err'd,
And fear we grieve thee much,
We learn from thy most holy word
That thou dost pity such.

6 O, through the present year,
While we instruction gain,
My it by all we do, appear
That it is not in vain.