I cannot tell you how my heart yearns for the young people to whom these
words are addressed; how I long and pray that they may be cleansed of
all hidden faults and made all glorious within, and that their garments
may shine as if woven of threads of gold. With all sincerity I can make
for each one who may read these pages this earnest, loving prayer:--
Father, our children keep!

We know not what is coming on the earth;
Beneath the shadow of thy heavenly wing,
Oh keep them, keep them, then who gav'st them birth.

Them in thy chambers hide!
Oh hide them and preserve them calm and safe,
Where sin abounds and error flows abroad,
And Satan tempts, and human passions chafe!

Oh keep them undefiled!
Unspotted from a tempting world of sin;
That, clothed in white, through the bright city gates
They may with us in triumph enter in."