#12—OUR CHILDREN, LORD, IN FAITH AND PRAYER

The composer, the English Thomas Haweis (1734-1820), was a talented man. He was a physician turned preacher who published A History of the Church, A Translation of the New Testament, A Commentary on the Holy Bible, and Carmino Christo (i.e., Hymns to Christ). This hymn is based on Acts 2:39, "The promise is to you and to your children," and Mark 10:13-16, "Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them." The three stanzas form a lovely prayer in which we ask for God's covenant faithfulness on the children we bring for baptism.

The jury is still out on whether the tune, NAOMI, was composed by the Swiss musician Hans Georg Nägeli (1773-1836) or the British Lowell Mason, (1792-1872).

Sources: Psalter Hymnal Handbook; Internet.