James Montgomery

For a Friend's Birthday.

Brother and friend, with heart and voice,

We greet thee on this festal morn;

None but the Christian can rejoice

In deed and truth, that he was born.

Since to this evil world you came,

Your heavenly birth-right have you prized?

In Father, Son, and Spirit's hame,

Were you not from that world baptized?

Then dead to sin, alive to God,

Whate'er you feel, or seek, or do,

Along the path our Saviour trod,

Meekly his blessed steps pursue.

So shall the Father cause his face

To shine on you while life endures,

So be the Son's redeeming grace,

The Holy Ghost's communion, yours.

So may we all with heart and voice

Sing at the resurrection morn,

And through eternity rejoice,

At God's right hand, that we were born.