59. The Orphan's Consecration to Mary

Mother Mary! at thine altar
We thy little daughters kneel;
With a faith that cannot falter,
To thy goodness we appeal.
We are seeking for a mother
O'er the earth so waste and wide,
And from off His Cross our Brother
Points to Mary by His side.

We have seen thy picture often
With thv little Babe in arms,
And it ever seemed to soften
All our sorrows with its charms;
So we want thee for our ^lother,
In thy gentle arms to rest,
And to share with Him our Brother
That sweet pillow on thy breast.

We have none but thee to love us
With a Mother's fondling care;
And our Father, God above us,
Bids us fly for refuge there.
All the world is dark before us,
We must out into its strife;
If thy fondness watch not o'er us, ^
Oh how sad will be our life!

So we take thee for our iMother,
And we claim our right to be,
By the gilt of our dear Brother,
Babes and daughters unto thee;
And the orphan's consecration
Thou wilt surely not despise,
From thy bright and lofty station
Close to Jesus in the skies.

Mother Mary! to thy keeping
Soul and body we confide,
Toiling, resting, waking, sleeping,
To be ever at thy side;
Cares that vex us, joys that please us.
Life and death we trust to thee;
Thou must make them all for Jesus,
And for all eternity!