Tried With Fire

Here are a few stanzas from Isaac Watts' Divine and Moral Songs for Children . I don't know if I would sing these to future grandchildren, and I doubt Wee Sing will be making a recording anytime soon.  Maybe kids (and parents) were tougher back then. SONG 16. Against Quarrelling and Fighting.  Let dogs delight to bark and bite,  For God hath made them so;  Let bears and lions growl and fight,  For 'tis their nature too. But, children, you should never let  Such angry passions rise;  Your little hands were never made  To tear each other's eyes. SONG 18. Against scoffing and calling Names.  When children in their wanton play  Serv'd old Elisha so;  And bid the prophet go his way,  'Go up, thou bald-head, go:' God quickly stop'd their wicked breath,  And sent two raging bears,  That tore them limb from limb to death,  With blood, and groans, and tears. Grea...

Behold! the grace appears, The promise is fulfilled! Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears, And Jesus is the child. To bring the glorious news A heavenly form appears; He tells the shepherds of their joys, And banishes their fears. "Go, humble swains, " said he, "To David's city fly, The promised infant born today Does in a manger lie." "With looks and hearts serene, Go visit Christ, your King"; And straight a flaming troop was seen; The shepherds heard them sing: "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth; Good will to men, to angels joy, At the Redeemer's birth!" In worship so divine Let saints employ their tongues; With the celestial host we join, And loud repeat their songs: "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth; Good will to men, to angel joy, At the Redeemer's birth!" Isaac Watts

Ere the blue heavens were stretched abroad, From everlasting was the Word; With God he was; the Word was God; And must divinely be adored. By his own power were all things made; By him supported all things stand; He is the whole creation's Head, And angels fly at his command. Ere sin was born, or Satan fell, He led the host of morning stars; (Thy generation who can tell, Or count the number of thy years?) But lo! he leaves those heavenly forms; The Word descend and dwells in clay, That he may hold converse with worms, Dressed in such feeble flesh as they. Mortals with joy behold his face, The eternal Father's only Son; How full of truth! How full of grace! When through his eyes the Godhead shone. Bless'd angels leave their high abode, To learn new mysteries here and tell The loves of our descending God, The glories of Immanuel. Isaac Watts

Let everlasting glories crown Thy head, my  Saviour, and my Lord; Thy hands have brought salvation down, And writ the blessings in Thy word. In vain the trembling conscience seeks Some solid ground to rest upon; With long despair the spirit breaks, Till made to rest on Christ alone. How well Thy blessed truths agree! How wise and holy Thy commands! Thy promises, how firm they be! How firm Thy hope, Thy comfort stands! Isaac Watts (1674-1748)