How Sweet It Is in Early Youth

How sweet it is in ear­ly youth

To tread the sac­red paths of truth;

From sin’s de­ceit­ful snares to run

And find a heav’n on earth begun.

How hap­py is the soul that knows

What per­fect peace and calm re­pose

A gra­cious Fa­ther deigns to give

To them who by His pre­cepts live!

Forbid it

Lord

that we should stray

Far dist­ant from Thy ho­ly way;

Or so de­ceived and thought­less be

As to love plea­sure more than Thee.

Though fools may make a mock at sin

O teach us wise­ly to begin

To seek the safe and nar­row road

That leads to hap­pi­ness and God.