God of the prophets! bless the prophets' sons

1 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 a nobler, stronger than the last!

2 Anoint them prophets! Make their ears attent
To Thy divinest speech; their hearts awake
To human need; their lips make eloquent
To assure the right, and every evil break.

3 Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they
For pardon, and for charity and peace!
Ah, if with them the world might pass, astray,
Into the dear Christ's life of sacrifice!

4 Anoint them kings! aye, kingly kings, O Lord!
Anoint them with the Spirit of Thy Son!
Theirs not a jewelled crown, a blood-stained sword;
Theirs, by sweet love, for 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.