God of the prophets! Bless the prophets’ sons;
Elijah’s mantle o’er Elisha cast;
each age its solemn task may claim but once;
make each one nobler, stronger than the last.
Anoint them prophets! Make their ears attent
to thy divinest speech, their hearts awake
to human need; their lips make eloquent
to gird the right and ev’ry evil break.
Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors, Lord!
Anoint them with the Spirit of thy Son;
theirs not a jeweled crown, a bloodstained sword;
theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won.
Make them apostles! Heralds of thy cross.
Forth may they go to tell all realms thy grace;
inspired of thee, may they count all but loss,
and stand at last with joy before thy face.