2 Beyond the flight of time,
Beyond the reign of death,
There surely is some blessed clime
Where life is not a breath,
Nor life's affections transient fire,
Whose sparks fly upward and expire
3 There is a world above,
Where parting is unknown; A long eternity of love,
Formed for the good alone;
And faith beholds the dying here
Translated to that glorious sphere.
Thus star by star declines,
Till all are passed away,
As morning high and higher shines,
To pure and perfect day;
Nor sink those stars in empty night,
But hide themselves in heaven's own light.
1 WHAT must it be to dwell above,
At God's right hand, where Jesus reigns,
Since the sweet earnest of his love
O'erwhelms us on these earthly plains!
No heart can think, no tongue explain,
What bliss it is with Christ to reign.
2 When sin no more obstructs our sight,
When sorrow pains our hearts no more,
How shall we view the Prince of Light,
And all his works of grace explore!
What heights and depths of love divine Will there through endless ages shine! 3 This is the heaven I long to know; For this, with patience, I would wait, Till, weaned from earth, and all below, I mount to my celestial seat,
And wave my palm, and wear my crown, And, with the elders, cast them down.
The Hope of Heaven our Support in Trials.
1 WHEN I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes.
2 Let cares, like a wild deluge, come,
And storms of sorrow fall;
May I but safely reach my home,
My God, my heaven, my all!
3 There shall I bathe my weary soul
In seas of heavenly rest;
And not a wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast.
Reunion of Friends in Heaven.
1 IF death my friend and me divide, Thou dost not, Lord, my sorrow chide, Or frown my tears to see: Restrained from passionate excess, Thou bid'st me mourn in calm distress, For them that rest in thee.
a I feel a strong immortal hope,
Which bears my mournful spirit up,
Beneath its mountain-load:
Redeemed from death, and grief, and pain,
I soon shall find my friend again,
Within the arms of God.
3 Pass a few fleeting moments more,
And death the blessing shall restore,
Which death hath snatched away;
For me thou wilt the summons send,
And give me back my parted friend,
In that eternal day.
1 WHEN the vale of death appears,
Faint and cold this mortal clay,
O my Father, soothe my fears,
Light me through the darksome way:
Break the shadows,
Usher in eternal day.
Starting from this dying state,
Upward bid my soul aspire;
Open thou the crystal gate,
To thy praise attune my lyre:
Dwell for ever,
Dwell on each immortal wire.
3 From the sparkling turrets there,
Oft I'll trace my pilgrim way,
Often bless thy guardian care,
Fire by night, and cloud by day;
While my triumphs
At my Leader's feet I lay.
Contemplation of the Judgment.
1 O GOD! mine inmost soul convert,
And deeply on my thoughtful heart
Eternal things impress;
Give me to feel their solemn weight,
To tremble on the brink of fate,
And wake to righteousness.
2 Be this my one great business here,
With serious industry and fear
Eternal bliss to insure;
Thine utmost counsel to fulfil,
To suffer all thy righteous will,
And to the end endure.
3 Then, Father, then my soul receive,
Transported from this vale, to live
And reign with thee above;
Where faith is sweetly lost in sight,
And hope in full supreme delight
And everlasting love.
1 WHO are these in bright array,
This exulting, happy throng,
Round the altar, night and day,
Hymning one triumphant song?-
"Worthy is the Lamb, once slain,
Blessing, honor, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches, to obtain,
New dominion every hour."
These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now, before the throne of God,
Sealed with his almighty name,
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their great Redeemer's might,
More than conquerors they stand.
3 Hunger, thirst, disease, unknown,
On immortal fruits they feed;
Them the Lamb, amidst the throne,
Shall to living fountains lead;
Joy and gladness banish sighs;
Perfect love dispels all fears;
And for ever from their eyes
God shall wipe away their tears.
1 JERUSALEM! my glorious home!
Name ever dear to me!
When shall my labors have an end
In joy, and peace, and thee?
When shall these eyes thy heaven-built walls
And pearly gates behold?
Thy bulwarks, with salvation strong,
Ånd streets of shining gold?
3 There happier bowers than Eden's bloom,
Nor sin nor sorrow know:
Blest seats! through rude and stormy scenes I onward press to you.
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