They fought the fight, the victory won, And entered into rest.
4 Then let our sorrows cease to flow,-- G.o.d has recalled his own; But let our hearts, in every woe, Still say, "Thy will be done!"
Wm. H. Bathurst, 1829.
496 Frederick. 11s.
_Death Not Fearful._
I would not live alway; I ask not to stay Where storm after storm rises dark o"er the way; The few cloudy mornings that dawn on us here Are enough for life"s woes, full enough for its cheer.
2 I would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb!
Since Jesus has lain there, I dread not its gloom; There sweet be my rest till he bid me arise, To hail him in triumph descending the skies.
3 Who, who would live alway, away from his G.o.d, Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode, Where the rivers of pleasure flow o"er the bright plains, And the noontide of glory eternally reigns;
4 Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Savior and brethren transported to greet; While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul?
W.A. Muhlenburg.
497 Thy Will Be Done. Chant
_Mark 14:36._
"Thy will be | done!" || In devious way The hurrying stream of | life may | run; || Yet still our grateful hearts shall say, | "Thy will be | done."
2 "Thy will be | done!" || If o"er us shine A gladdening and a | prosperous | sun, || This prayer will make it more divine-- | "Thy will be | done!"
3 "Thy will be | done!" || Tho" shrouded o"er Our | path with | gloom, | one comfort, one || Is ours:--to breathe, while we adore, | "Thy will be | done."
Sir. J. Bowring, 1825.
498 Shining Sh.o.r.e. 8s & 7s. Trochaic.
_On Jordan"s Strand._ (1146)
My days are gliding swiftly by, And I a pilgrim stranger, Would not detain them as they fly, Those hours of toil and danger.
Cho.--For, oh! we stand on Jordan"s strand, Our friends are pa.s.sing over; And, just before, the shining sh.o.r.e We may almost discover.
2 We"ll gird our loins, my brethren dear!
Our heav"nly home discerning; Our absent Lord has left us word,-- "Let ev"ry lamp be burning."
3 Should coming days be cold and dark, We need not cease our singing; That perfect rest none can molest, Where golden harps are ringing.
4 Let sorrow"s rudest tempest blow, Each cord on earth to sever; Our King says,--"Come!" and there"s our home, Forever, oh! forever!
David Nelson, 1835.
499 Shining Sh.o.r.e. 8s & 7s. Trochaic.
_Wayfarers._ (1147)
Wayfarers in the wilderness, By morn, and noon, and even, Day after day, we journey on, With weary feet toward heaven.
Cho.--O land above! O land of love!
The glory shineth o"er thee; O Christ, our King! in mercy bring Us thither, we implore thee!
2 By day the cloud before us goes, By night the cloud of fire, To guide us o"er the trackless waste, To Canaan ever nigher.
3 The sea was riven from our feet, And so shall be the river; And, by the King"s highway brought home, We"ll praise his name forever:
Alexander R. Thompson, 1869.
500 Nearer Home. 6s.
_A Solemn Thought._ (1139)
One sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o"er and o"er; I"m nearer home to-day Than e"er I"ve been before.
Cho.--I"m nearer my home, nearer my home, Nearer my home to-day; Yes, nearer my home in heav"n to-day, Than ever I"ve been before.
2 Nearer my Father"s house Where the blest mansions be; Nearer the great white throne, Nearer the crystal sea;
3 Nearer the bound where we Must lay our burdens down, Nearer to leave the cross, Nearer to gain the crown.
4 The waves of that deep sea Roll dark before my sight, But break, the other side, Upon a sh.o.r.e of light.
5 Oh! if my mortal feet Have almost gained the brink, If I am nearer home To-day than e"en I think,
6 Father! perfect my trust, That I may rest, in death, On Christ, my Lord, alone, And thus resign my breath.
Phoebe Cary, 1852 _a._
501 Consolation. P.M.
_The Death of a Child._
There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lamb is there!
There is no fireside, howsoe"er defended, But has one vacant chair!
The air is full of farewells to the dying, And mournings for the dead; The heart of Rachel for her children crying Will not be comforted!
2 Let us be patient, these severe afflictions Not from the ground arise, But oftentimes celestial benedictions a.s.sume this dark disguise.