1 God of the prophets, bless the prophets' heirs;
Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast;
each age in turn for solemn tasks prepares;
make each one nobler, stronger than the last.

2 Anoint them prophets! make their ears attend
to thy divinest speech; their hearts awake
to human need; their lips make eloquent
right to enthrone and ev'ry evil break.

3 Anoint them priests! strong intercessors they
for pardon and for charity and peace!
O might with them the world, though gone astray,
pass into Christ'spure life of sacrifice.

4 Anoint them rulers, gentle rulers, Lord!
Anoint them with the Spirit of thy Son:
theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword;
theirs, by strong love, for Christ a kingdom won.

5 Send 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.