# Another explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

A prayer for the youth, asking God to bestow saving grace upon them, that the seed of sacred truth may take root in their hearts. The poem emphasizes the purity and fruitfulness of grace in the young, warns of the inherent sinfulness even in youth, and encourages them to join in public prayer and early embrace the love of Jesus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The poem centers on the gift of saving grace, described as a plant of heavenly root, bestowed upon the youth.

### Human Sinfulness and Depravity

Acknowledges that even the youngest have a 'stone' within their breast and are stained with many crimes.

## Character check-ins

### The Lord

Addressed as 'dear Lord' in prayer, asked to bestow saving grace upon the youth.

### Jesus Christ

Mentioned as the one whom the youth are encouraged to love, emphasizing the importance of early faith.

### The Holy Spirit

Referred to as 'the Spirit's power to teach,' essential for early spiritual growth.

### Grace

Described as a plant of heavenly root, fairest in the youngest, yielding sweetest fruit.

### Mercy

Mentioned as reigning above, offering hope despite the crimes of youth.

## Key lines

> Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth The gift of saving grace;

Lord, please give the young people the gift of your saving grace.

_Opening prayer for the youth's salvation._

> Grace is a plant, where’er it grows, Of pure and heav’nly root; But fairest in the youngest shows, And yields the sweetest fruit.

Grace is like a plant with a heavenly origin; it appears most beautiful in young people and produces the best results.

_Metaphor of grace as a plant, emphasizing its beauty and fruitfulness in youth._

> True, you are young, but there’s a stone Within the youngest breast;

It's true you are young, but even the youngest have a hard heart within them.

_Acknowledges inherent sinfulness even in youth._

> We pray that you may early prove The Spirit’s power to teach; You cannot be too young to love That Jesus whom we preach.

We pray that you will experience the Spirit's teaching early in life; you are never too young to love the Jesus we preach.

_Encouragement for early spiritual experience and love for Christ._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/8-another
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters