1 God of the prophets, bless the prophets' heirs!
Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast:
each age for thine own solemn task prepares,
make each one stronger, nobler than the last.
2 Anoint them prophets! Teach them thine intent:
to human need their quickened hearts awake;
fill them with power, their lips make eloquent
for righteousness that shall all evil break.
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4 Anoint them kings! Yea, kingly kings, O Lord!
Anoint them with the Spirit of thy Son:
theirs not a monarch's crown or tyrant's sword;
theirs by the love of Christ a kingdom won.
5 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.