2 It saves us from a thousand snares To mind religion young; Grace will preserve our following years, And make our virtues strong. 3 To thee, Almighty God, to thee May we our hearts resign; 'Twill please us to look back and see, That our whole lives were thine. 742. C. M. Gibbons. The Same. 1 In the soft season of thy youth, In Nature's smiling bloom, Ere age arrive, and trembling wait Its summons to the tomb; 2 Remember thy Creator, God; For him thy powers employ; Make him thy fear, thy love, thy hope, Thy confidence, thy joy. 3 He shall defend and guide thy course Through life's uncertain sea, Till thou art landed on the shore Of blessed eternity. 4 Then seek the Lord betimes, and choose The path of heavenly truth: The earth affords no lovelier sight Than a religious youth. 743. L. M. Landon. Permanence of Early Religious Impressions. 1 While yet the youthful spirit bears The image of its God within, And uneffaced that beauty wears So soon to be destroyed by sin;-- 2 Then is the time for faith and love To take in charge their precious care, Teach the young eye to look above, Teach the young knee to bend in prayer. 3 The world will come with care and crime, And tempt too many a heart astray; Still the seed sown in early time Will not be wholly cast away. 4 The infant prayer, the infant hymn, Within the darkened soul will rise, When age's weary eye is dim, And the grave's shadow round us lies. 5 Lord, grant our hearts be so inclined, Thy work to seek, thy will to do; And while we teach the youthful mind, Our own be taught thy lessons too. 744. C. M. Watts. Importance of the Bible to the Young. 1 How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives, from sin? Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean. 2 'Tis, like the sun, a heavenly light, That guides us all the day, And, through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way. 3 Thy precepts make us truly wise; We hate the sinner's road: We hate our own vain thoughts that rise, But love thy law, O God! 4 Thy word is everlasting truth: How pure is every page! That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age. 745. S. M. Anonymous. Youth and the Spring-time. 1 Sweet is the time of spring, When nature's charms appear; The birds with ceaseless pleasure sing, And hail the opening year: But sweeter far the spring Of wisdom and of grace, When children bless and praise their King, Who loves the youthful race.