Chapter XVII: Introduction (17)

5 Our hearts are breaking now
Those mansions fair to see:
O Lord! thy heavens bow,
And raise us up with thee
To the new Jerusalem.

1142 8s & 7s.
Arise and depart, etc.
Micah 2:16.

This is not my place of resting,
Mine a city yet to come;
Onward to it I am hasting—
On to my eternal home.

2 In it, all is light and glory,
O’er it shines a nightless day:
Every trace of sin’s sad story,
All the curse has passed away.

3 There the Lamb, our Shepherd, leads us,
By the streams of life along;
On the freshest pastures feeds us,
Turns our sighing into song.

4 Soon we pass this desert dreary,
Soon we bid farewell to pain;
Never more be sad or weary,
Never, never sin again.

1143 S. M. D.
Rev. 21:25.

There is no night in heaven:
In that blest world above
Work never can bring weariness,
For work itself is love.
There is no night in heaven:
Yet nightly round the bed
Of every Christian wanderer
Faith has an angel tread.

2 There is no grief in heaven:
For life is one glad day,
And tears are of those former things
Which all have passed away,
There is no grief in heaven:
Yet angels from on high,
On golden pinions earthward glide,
The Christian’s tears to dry.

3 There is no want in heaven:
The Lamb of God supplies
Life’s tree of twelvefold fruitage still,
Life’s spring which never dries.
There is no want in heaven:
Yet in a desert land
The fainting prophet was sustained
And fed by angel’s hand.

4 There is no sin in heaven!
Behold that blesséd throng;
All holy is their spotless robes,
All holy is their song.
There is no sin in heaven:
Here who from sin is free?
Yet angels aid us in our strife
For Christ’s true liberty.

5 There is no death in heaven:
For they who gain that shore
Have won their immortality,
And they can die no more.
There is no death in heaven;
But, when the Christian dies,
The angels wait his parting soul,
And waft it to the skies.

1144 7s & 6s.
Reunion in heaven.

No seas again shall sever,
No desert intervene,
No deep sad-flowing river
Shall roll its tide between.

2 Love and unsevered union
Of soul with those we love,
Nearness and glad communion,
Shall be our joy above.

3 No dread of wasting sickness,
No thought of ache or pain,
No fretting hours of weakness,
Shall mar our peace again.

4 No death our homes o’ershading
Shall e’er our harps unstring
For all is life unfading
In presence of our King,

1145 7s & 6s.
The beautiful of lands.

There is a land immortal,
The beautiful of lands;
Beside its ancient portal
A silent sentry stands;
He only can undo it,
And open wide the door;
And mortals who pass through it,
Are mortals nevermore.

2 Though dark and drear the passage
That leadeth to the gate,
Yet grace comes with the message,
To souls that watch and wait;
And at the time appointed
A messenger comes down,
And leads the Lord’s anointed
From cross to glory’s crown.

3 Their sighs are lost in singing,
They’re blesséd in their tears;
Their journey heavenward winging,
They leave on earth their fears:
Death like an angel seemeth;
“We welcome thee,” they cry;
Their face with glory beameth—
’Tis life for them to die!

1146 6s & 4s.
Heaven is my home.

I’m but a stranger here;
Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear;
Heaven is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand,
Heaven is my fatherland—
Heaven is my home.

2 What though the tempests rage,
Heaven is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage;
Heaven is my home.
And Time’s wild wintry blast
Soon will be overpast,
I shall reach home at last;
Heaven is my home.

3 There at my Saviour’s side,
Heaven is my home;
I shall be glorified;
Heaven is my home.
There with the good and blest,
Those I loved most and best,
I shall for ever rest:
Heaven is my home.

4 Therefore I’ll murmur not;
Heaven is my home;
Whate’er my earthly lot,
Heaven is my home.
For I shall surely stand,
There at my Lord’s right hand,
Heaven is my fatherland—
Heaven is my home.

1147 6s & 7s.
The region above.

There’s a region above,
Free from sin and temptation,
And a mansion of love,
For each heir of salvation.
Then dismiss all thy fears,
Weary pilgrim of sorrow;
Though thy sun set in tears,
’Twill rise brighter to-morrow.

2 There our toils will be done,
And free grace be our story,
God himself be our Sun,
And our unsetting glory.
In that world of delight
Spring shall never be ended,
Nor shall shadows nor night,
With its brightness be blended.

3 There shall friends no more part,
Nor shall farewells be spoken,
There’ll be balm for the heart
That with anguish was broken.
From affliction set free,
And from God ne’er to sever,
We his glory shall see,
And enjoy him for ever.

1148 5s & 4s.
Rev. 22:5.

No shadows yonder!
All light and song!
Each day I wonder,
And say how long
Shall time me sunder
From that dear throng?

2 No weeping yonder—
All fled away!
While here I wander
Each weary day,
And sigh as I ponder
My long, long stay.

3 No partings yonder—
Time and space never
Again shall sunder—
Hearts can not sever—
Dearer and fonder
Hands clasped for ever.

4 None wanting yonder—
Bought by the Lamb,
All gathered under
The evergreen palm—
Loud as night’s thunder
Ascends the glad psalm.

1149 8s & 7s.
Rest for the weary.

In the Christian’s home in glory,
There remains a land of rest,
There my Saviour’s gone before me
To fulfill my soul’s request.
CHORUS.
There is rest for the weary,
There is rest for you—
On the other side of Jordan,
In the sweet fields of Eden,
Where the tree of life is blooming,
There is rest for you.

2 He is fitting up my mansion,
Which eternally shall stand,
For my stay shall not be transient,
In that holy, happy land.

3 Pain nor sickness ne’er shall enter,
Grief nor woe my lot shall share,
But in that celestial center,
I a crown of life shall wear.

4 Death itself shall then be vanquished,
And his sting shall be withdrawn;
Shout for gladness, O ye ransomed!
Hail with joy the rising morn.

5 Sing, O sing, ye heirs of glory;
Shout your triumph as you go;
Zion’s gates will open for you,
You shall find an entrance through.

1150 8s.
What must it be to be there?

We speak of the realms of the blest,
That country so bright and so fair,
And oft are its glories confessed,
But what must it be to be there?

2 We speak of its pathways of gold,
Of its walls decked with jewels so rare,
Of its wonders and pleasures untold,
But what must it be to be there?

3 We speak of its freedom from sin,
From sorrow, temptation and care,
From trials without and within,
But what must it be to be there?

4 We speak of its service of love,
The robes which the glorified wear,
The Church of the First-born above,
But what must it be to be there?

5 O Lord, in this valley of woe,
Our spirits for heaven prepare;
Then shortly we also shall know
And feel what it is to be there.

1151 8s & 7s.
Shall we know each other there?

When we hear the music ringing
In the bright celestial dome,
When sweet angel voices, singing,
Gladly bid us welcome home
To the land of ancient story,
Where the spirit knows no care,
In that land of light and glory,
Shall we know each other there?

2 When the holy angels meet us,
As we go to join their band,
Shall we know the friends that greet us
In the glorious spirit land?
Shall we see the same eyes shining
On us as in days of yore?
Shall we feel their dear arms twining
Fondly round us as before?

3 Yes, my earth-worn soul rejoices,
And my weary heart grows light,
For the sweet and cheerful voices,
And the forms so pure and bright,
That shall welcome us in heaven,
Are the loved of long ago;
And to them ’tis kindly given,
Thus their mortal friends to know.

4 O, ye weary, sad, and tossed ones,
Droop not, faint not by the way;
Ye shall join the loved and just ones
In the land of perfect day.
Harp-strings, touched by angel fingers,
Murmured in my raptured ear—
Evermore their sweet song lingers—
We shall know each other there.

1152 8s & 7s.
Happy home.

In that world of ancient story,
Where no storms can ever come,
Where the Saviour dwells in glory,
There remains for us a home.
CHORUS.
Happy home, happy home,
Jesus bids his followers come,
To that land of bliss and glory,
Our happy, happy home.

2 There within the heavenly mansions,
Where life’s river flows so clear,
We shall see our blesséd Saviour,
If we love and serve him here.

3 There with holy angels dwelling,
Where the ransomed wander free,
Jesus’ praises ever telling,
Sing we through eternity.

4 There amid the shining numbers,
All our toils and labors o’er,
Where the Guardian never slumbers,
We shall dwell for evermore.

1153 6s & 4s.
Almost home.

Is it a long way off?
O, no! a few more years,
A few more bitter tears—
We shall be there.
Sometimes the way seems long,
Our comforters all go,
Woe follows after woe,
Care after care.

2 O! brethren dear, how weak,
How faint and weak we are!
Yet Jesus leads us far
Through tangled ways
Into the very heart
Of this dark wilderness
Where dangers thickest press,
And Satan strays.

3 But he is strong and wise,
And we, his children blind,
Must trust his thoughtful mind
And tender care.
So gentle is his love,
We may be sure that sight
Would show us all is right,
And answered prayer.

4 ’Tis no uncertain way
We tread, for Jesus still
Leads with unerring skill
Where’er we roam;
And from the desert wild
Soon shall our path emerge,
And land us on the verge
Of our dear home.

1154 6s & 4s.
I’m going home.

I am a stranger here;
No home, no rest I see;
Not all earth counts most dear
Can win a sigh from me.
I’m going home.

2 Jesus, thy home is mine,
And I thy Father’s child;
With hopes and joys divine,
The world’s a dreary wild.
I’m going home.

3 Home! O! how soft and sweet,
It thrills upon the heart!
Home! where the brethren meet,
And never, never part.
I’m going home.

4 Home! where the Bridegroom takes
The purchase of his love:
Home! where the Father waits
To welcome saints above.
I’m going home.

5 Yes! when the world looks cold,
Which did my Lord revile,
A lamb within the fold,
I can look up and smile.
I’m going home.

6 When earth’s delusive charms
Would snare my pilgrim feet,
I fly to Jesus’ arms,
And yet again repeat,
I’m going home.

7 When breaks each mortal tie
That holds me from the goal,
This, this can satisfy
The cravings of my soul—
I’m going home.

8 Ah! gently, gently lead,
Along the painful way,
Bid every word and deed,
And every look to say,
I’m going home.

1155 7s & 6s.
Strangers and pilgrims.
Heb. 11:13.

We have no home but heaven;
A pilgrim’s garb we wear;
Our path is marked by changes,
And strewed with many a care;
Surrounded with temptation;
By varied ills oppressed;
Each day’s experience warns us
That this is not our rest.

2 We have no home but heaven;
Then, wherefore seek one here?
Why murmur at privation,
Or grieve when trouble’s near?
It is but for a season
That we as strangers roam,
And strangers must not look for
The comforts of a home.

3 We have no home but heaven;
We want no home beside;
O, God, our Friend and Father,
Our footsteps thither guide,
Unfold to us its glory,
Prepare us for its joy,
Its pure and perfect friendship,
Its angel-like employ.

4 We have a home in heaven:—
How cheering is the thought!
How bright the expectations
Which God’s own word has taught!
With eager hearts we hasten
The promised bliss to share;
We have no home but heaven;—
O, would that we were there!

1156 8s & 7s.
Shall we e’er forget the story?

When we reach a quiet dwelling,
On the strong eternal hills,
And our praise to him is swelling,
Who the vast creation fills;
When the paths of prayer and duty,
And affliction all are trod,
And we wake to see the beauty
Of our Saviour and our God:

2 With the light of resurrection,
When our changéd bodies glow,
And we gain the full perfection
Of the bliss begun below;
When the life that flesh obscureth
In each radiant form shall shine,
And the joy that aye endureth,
Flashes forth in beams divine:

3 While we wave the palms of glory
Through the long eternal years,
Shall we e’er forget the story
Of our mortal griefs and fears?
Shall we e’er forget the sadness,
And the clouds that hung so dim,
When our hearts are filled with gladness,
And our tears are dried by him?

4 Shall the memory be banished
Of his kindness and his care,
When the wants and woes are vanished
Which he loved to soothe and share?
All the way by which he led us,
All the grievings which he bore,
All the patient love he taught us,
Shall we think of them no more?

5 Yes! we surely shall remember
How he quickened us from death—
How he fanned the dying ember
With his Spirit’s glowing breath.
We shall read the tender meaning
Of the sorrows and alarms,
As we trod the desert, leaning
On his everlasting arms.

6 And his rest will be the dearer
When we think of weary ways,
And his light will seem the clearer
As we muse on cloudy days.
O ’twill be a glorious morrow
To a dark and stormy day!
We shall recollect our sorrow
As the streams that pass away.

1157 8s, 6 lines.
Beautiful Zion.
Psalm 50:2.

Beautiful Zion, built above—
Beautiful city, that I love;
Beautiful gates of pearly white,
Beautiful temple—God its light!
He who was slain on Calvary
Opens those pearly gates to me.

2 Beautiful heaven, where all is light;
Beautiful angels, clothed in white;
Beautiful strains that never tire,
Beautiful harps through all the choir:
There shall I join the chorus sweet,
Worshiping at the Saviour’s feet.

3 Beautiful crowns on every brow,
Beautiful palms the conquerors show,
Beautiful robes the ransomed wear,
Beautiful all who enter there!
Thither I press with eager feet;
There shall my rest be long and sweet.

4 Beautiful throne for Christ our King,
Beautiful songs the angels sing,
Beautiful rest—all wanderings cease—
Beautiful home of perfect peace;
There shall my eyes the Saviour see:
Haste to this heavenly home with me!

1158 P. M.
The better land.

I hear thee speak of the better land,
Thou callest its children a happy band;
Mother! O where is that radiant shore,
Shall we not seek it, and weep no more?
Is it where the flower of the orange blows,
And the fire-flies dance in the myrtle boughs?
Not there! not there!

2 Is it where the feathery palm-trees rise,
And the date grows ripe under sunny skies,
Or, ’midst the green islands of glittering seas,
Where fragrant forests perfume the breeze,
And strange bright birds, on their starry wings,
Bear the rich hues of all glorious things?
Not there! not there!

3 Is it far away in some region old,
Where the rivers wander o’er sands of gold,
And the burning rays of the rubies shine,
And the diamond lights up the secret mine?
And the pearl glows forth from the coral strand,
Is it there, sweet mother, that better land?
Not there! not there!

4 Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy,
Ear hath not heard its sweet song of joy!
Dreams can not picture a world so fair,
Sorrow and death may not enter there,
Time may not breathe on its fadeless bloom,
Far beyond the clouds and beyond the tomb!
’Tis there! ’tis there!

1159 9s & 8s.
The Father-land.

There is a place where my hopes are stayed,
My heart and my treasure are there;
Where verdure and blossoms never fade,
And fields are eternally fair.
CHORUS.
That blissful place is my father-land;
By faith its delights I explore;
Come, favor my flight, angelic band,
And waft me in peace to the shore.

2 There is a place where the angels dwell,
A pure and peaceful abode;
The joys of that place no tongue can tell;
For there is the palace of God!

3 There is a place where my friends are gone
Who suffered and worshiped with me!
Exalted with Christ, high on his throne,
The King in his beauty they see.

4 There is a place where I hope to live
When life and its labors are o’er,
A place which the Lord to me will give,
And then I shall sorrow no more.

1160 4s & 10s.
The former things are passed away.
Rev. 21:4.

No sickness there,
No weary wasting of the frame away,
No fearful shrinking from the midnight air,
No dread of summer’s bright and fervid ray.

2 No hidden grief,
No wild and cheerless vision of despair,
No vain petition for a swift relief,
No tearful eye, no broken hearts are there.

3 Care has no home
Within that realm of ceaseless praise and song:
Its tossing billows break and melt in foam,
Far from the mansions of the spirit-throng.

4 No parted friends
O’er mournful recollections have to weep!
No bed of death enduring love attends,
To watch the coming of a pulseless sleep.

5 No blasted flower
Or withered bud celestial gardens grow!
No scorching blast or fierce descending shower
Scatters destruction like a ruthless foe!

6 No battle-word
Startles the sacred host with fear and dread!
The song of peace, Creation’s morning heard,
Is sung wherever angel-minstrels tread!

7 Let us depart
If scenes like these await the weary soul!
Look up, thou stricken one! Thy wounded heart,
Shall bleed no more at sorrow’s stern control!

8 With faith our guide,
White-robed and innocent, to lead the way,
Why fear to plunge in Jordan’s rolling tide,
And find the ocean of eternal day!

1161 P. M.
That beautiful world.

We’re going home, we’ve had visions bright
Of that holy land, that world of light,
Where the long, dark night of time is past,
And the morn of eternity dawns at last;
Where the weary saint no more shall roam,
But dwell in a happy, peaceful home:
Where the brow with sparkling gems is crowned,
And the waves of bliss are flowing round.
O, that beautiful world! O, that beautiful world!

2 We’re going home, we soon shall be,
Where the sky is clear, and all are free:
Where the victor’s song floats o’er the plains,
And the seraph’s anthems blend with its strains;
Where the sun rolls down its brilliant flood,
And beams on a world that is fair and good;
Where stars, once dimmed at nature’s doom,
Will ever shine o’er the new earth’s bloom.
O, that beautiful world! O, that beautiful world!

3 ’Mid the ransomed throng, ’mid the seas of bliss,
’Mid the holy city’s gorgeousness;
’Mid the verdant plains, ’mid angels’ cheer,
’Mid the saints that round the throne appear;
Where the conqueror’s song, as it sounds afar,
Is wafted on the ambrosial air;
Through endless years we then shall prove,
The worth of a Saviour’s matchless love.
O, that beautiful world! O, that beautiful world.

1162 P. M.
The sun-bright clime.

Have you heard, have you heard of that sun-bright clime,
Undimmed by sorrow, unhurt by time;
Where age hath no power o’er the fadeless frame—
Where the eye is fire, and the heart is flame—
Have you heard of that sun-bright clime?

2 A river of water gushes there,
’Mid flowers of beauty strangely fair,
And a thousand wings are hovering o’er
The dazzling wave and the golden shore
That are seen in that sun-bright clime.

3 Millions of forms, all clothed in white,
In garments of beauty, clear and bright,
There dwell in their own immortal bowers,
’Mid fadeless hues of countless flowers
That bloom in that sun-bright clime.

4 Ear hath not heard, and eye hath not seen,
Their swelling songs, and their changeless sheen;
Their ensigns are waving, their banners unfurl,
O’er jasper walls and gates of pearl,
That are fixed in that sun-bright clime.

5 But far, far away is that sinless clime,
Undimmed by sorrow, unhurt by time;
Where, amid all things bright and fair, is given
The home of the just, and its name is heaven—
The name of that sun-bright clime.

1163 P. M.
We’ll be there in a little while.

We have heard of that bright, that holy land,
We have heard, and our hearts are glad,
For we are a lonely pilgrim band;
We are weary, and worn, and sad.
They tell us that pilgrims are dwelling there,
No more are they called homeless ones,
And they say that the goodly land is fair,
Where the fountain of life ever runs.
CHORUS.
We’ll be there, we’ll be there in a little while,
And we’ll join with the pure and blest,
We’ll all have the palms, the robes, the crowns,
And we’ll be for ever at rest.

2 We have heard of the palms, the robes, the crowns,
Of that silvery band in white,
Of the city fair with its golden gates
All radiant with heavenly light.
We have heard of the angels there, and saints
With their golden harps, how they sing,
And the mount, with the fruitful tree of life,
And the leaves that healing bring.

3 There are beautiful birds in the bowers green,
Their songs are blythe and sweet,
Their warbling gushing ever new,
The angel harpers greet.
We’ll be there, we’ll be there in a little while,
And we’ll join with the pure and blest;
We’ll all have the palms, the robes, the crowns,
And we’ll be for ever at rest.

1164 P. M.
Shall we sing in heaven?

Shall we sing in heaven for ever,
Shall we sing?
Shall we sing in heaven for ever,
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
They that meet shall sing for ever,
Far beyond the rolling river,
Meet to sing, and love for ever,
In that happy land.

2 Shall we know each other ever,
In that land?
Shall we know each other ever,
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
They that meet shall know each other,
Far beyond the rolling river, etc.

3 Shall we sing with holy angels
In that land?
Shall we sing with holy angels
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
Saints and angels sing for ever,
Far beyond the rolling river, etc.

4 Shall we rest from care and sorrow,
In that land?
Shall we rest from care and sorrow,
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
They that meet shall rest for ever,
Far beyond the rolling river, etc.

5 Shall me meet our dear, lost children,
In that land?
Shall me meet our dear, lost children,
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
Children meet and sing for ever,
Far beyond the rolling river, etc.

6 Shall we meet our Christian parents,
In that land?
Shall we meet our Christian parents,
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
Parents and children meet together,
Far beyond the rolling river, etc.

7 Shall we meet our faithful teachers
In that land?
Shall we meet our faithful teachers
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
Teachers and scholars meet together,
Far beyond the rolling river, etc.

8 Shall we know our blesséd Saviour
In that land?
Shall we know our blesséd Saviour
In that happy land?
Yes! O, yes! in that land, that happy land,
We shall know our blesséd Saviour
Far beyond the rolling river,
Love and serve him there for ever.
In that happy land.

1165 P. M.
Behold I make all things new.
Rev. 21:5.

That clime is not like this dull clime of ours;
All, all is brightness there;
A sweeter influence breathes around its flowers,
And a benigner air.
No calm below is like that calm above,
No region here is like that realm of love;
Earth’s softest spring ne’er shed so soft a light,
Earth’s brightest summer never shone so bright.

2 That sky is not like this sad sky of ours,
Tinged with earth’s change and care;
No shadow dims it, and no rain-cloud lowers;
No broken sunshine there:
One everlasting stretch of azure pours
Its stainless splendor o’er those sinless shores:
For there Jehovah shines with heavenly ray,
And Jesus reigns, dispensing endless day.

3 The dwellers there are not like those of earth,
No mortal stain they bear;
And yet they seem of kindred blood and birth;
Whence and how came they there?
Earth was their native soil; from sin and shame,
Through tribulation, they to glory came;
Bond-slaves delivered from sin’s crushing load,
Brands plucked from burning by the hand of God.

4 Yon robes of theirs are not like those below;
No angel’s half so bright:
Whence came that beauty, whence that living glow,
And whence that radiant white?
Washed in the blood of the atoning Lamb,
Fair as the light these robes of theirs became;
And now, all tears wiped off from every eye,
They wander where the freshest pastures lie.

1166 11s & 5s.
The home of the soul.

Oh where can the soul find relief from its foes?
A shelter of safety, a home of repose?
Can earth’s highest summit, or deepest hid vale,
Give a refuge, nor sorrow, nor sin can assail?
No, no! there’s no home!
There’s no home on earth—the soul has no home.

2 Shall it leave the low earth, and soar to the sky,
And seek for a home in the mansions on high!
In the bright realms of bliss will a dwelling be given,
And the soul find a home in the glory of heaven?
Yes, yes! there’s a home!
There’s a home in high heaven—the soul has a home.

3 O! holy and sweet its rest shall be there!
Free for ever from sin, and from sorrow and care;
And the loud hallelujahs of angels shall rise,
To welcome the soul to its home in the skies!
Home, home! home of the soul!
The bosom of God is the home of the soul!

1167 P. M.
Ever-green mountains.

There’s a land far away, ’mid the stars, we are told,
Where they know not the sorrows of time,
Where the pure waters wander through valleys of gold,
And where life is a treasure sublime;
’Tis the land of our God—’tis the home of the soul,
Where the ages of splendor eternally roll:
Where the way-weary traveler reaches his goal,
On the ever-green mountains of life.

2 Here our gaze can not soar to that beautiful land,
But our visions have told of its bliss,
And our souls by the gale from its gardens are fanned,
When we faint in the deserts of this;
And we sometimes have longed for its holy repose,
When our spirits were torn with temptation and woes,
And we’ve drank from the tide of the river that flows
From the ever-green mountains of life.

3 O the stars never tread the blue heavens by night,
But we think where the ransomed have trod,
And the day never smiles from his palace of light,
But we feel the bright smiles of our God.
We are traveling homeward thro’ changes and gloom,
To a kingdom where pleasures unchangingly bloom;
And our guide is the glory that shines thro’ the tomb
From the ever-green mountains of life.

1168 P. M.
Within the vail.
Heb. 6:19.

Upon the frontier of this shadowy land
We, pilgrims of eternal sorrow, stand:
What realm lies forward, with its happier store
Of forests green and deep,
Of valleys hushed in sleep,
And lakes most peaceful? ’Tis the land of
Evermore.

2 Very far off its marble cities seem—
Very far off—beyond our sensual dream—
Its woods, unruffled by the wild wind’s roar:
Yet does the turbulent surge
Howl on its very verge.
One moment—and we breathe within the
Evermore.

3 They whom we loved and lost so long ago,
Dwell in those cities far from mortal woe—
Haunt those fresh woodlands, whence sweet carrollings soar.
Eternal peace have they:
God wipes their tears away:
They drink that river of life which flows for
Evermore.

4 Thither we hasten through these regions dim,
But, lo! the wide wings of the seraphim
Shine in the sunset! On that joyous shore
Our lightened hearts shall know
The life of long ago:
The sorrow-burdened path shall fade for
Evermore.

1169 10s.
No night in heaven.

No night shall be in heaven! no gathering gloom
Shall o’er that glorious landscape ever come;
No tears shall fall in sadness o’er those flowers
That breathe their fragrance through celestial bowers.

2 No night shall be in heaven! no dreadful hour
Of mental darkness, of the tempter’s power—
Across these skies no envious clouds shall roll,
To dim the sunlight of the raptured soul.

3 No night shall be in heaven. Forbid to sleep,
These eyes no more their mournful vigils keep;
Their fountains dried—their tears all wiped away—
They gaze undazzled on eternal day.

4 No night shall be in heaven—no sorrow’s reign;
No secret anguish, no corporeal pain;
No shivering limbs, no burning fever there;
No soul’s eclipse, no winter of despair.

5 No night shall be in heaven, but endless noon—
No fast declining sun, no waning moon:
But there the Lamb shall yield perpetual light,
’Mid pastures green, and waters ever bright.

HOME—THE FAMILY.

1170 L. M.
I will make there an altar unto God.
Gen. 35:3.

Thou sovereign Lord of earth and skies,
Supremely good, supremely wise;
Fix thou the place of our abode;
But may we still live near to God.

2 Where’er our dwelling shall be found,
We will thy throne of grace surround;
An altar to thy name will raise,
With sacrifice of prayer and praise.

3 With faith and with devotion, Lord!
Teach us each day to hear thy word:
Grant us thy light to learn thy will,
And strength our duties to fulfill.

4 Our circles with thy presence bless;
Keep out each root of bitterness;
And may, to each, the last remove
Be to the mansions of thy love.

1171 C. M.
The happy home.

Happy the home, when God is there,
And love fills every breast;
Where one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heavenly rest.

2 Happy the home, where Jesus’ name
Is sweet to every ear;
Where children early lisp his fame
And parents hold him dear.

3 Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise;
Where parents love the sacred word,
And live but for the skies.

4 Lord! let us in our homes agree,
This blesséd peace to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to thee,
And love to all will reign.

1172 C. M. D.
My mother’s Bible.

This book is all that’s left me now,
Tears will unbidden start,
With faltering heart and throbbing brow,
I press it to my heart.
For many generations past,
Here is our family tree;
My mother’s hand this Bible clasped;
She dying gave it me.

2 Ah! well do I remember those
Whose name these records bear;
Who round the hearth-stone used to close,
After the evening prayer,
And tell of what those pages said,
In terms my heart would thrill!
Though they are with the silent dead,
Here are they living still.

3 My father read this holy book
To brothers, sisters dear;
How calm was my poor mother’s look,
Who leaned God’s word to hear.
Her angel face—I see it yet!
What thronging memories come!
Again that little group is met,
Within the walls of home.

4 Thou truest friend man ever knew,
Thy constancy I’ve tried;
Where all were false, I found thee true—
My counselor and guide.
The mines of earth no treasures give,
That could this volume buy;
In teaching me the way to live,
It taught me how to die.

1173 S. M.
As for me and my house, etc.
Josh. 24:15.

In all my ways, O God!
I would acknowledge thee;
And seek to keep my heart and house
From all pollution free.

2 Where’er I have a tent,
An altar will I raise;
And thither my oblations bring
Of humble prayer and praise.

3 Could I my wish obtain,
My household, Lord, should be
Devoted to thyself alone,
A nursery for thee.

1174 H. M.
A birth-day hymn.

God of my life, to thee
My cheerful soul I raise,
Thy goodness bade me be,
And still prolongs my days:
I see my natal hour return,
And bless the day that I was born.

2 Though but a child of earth,
I glorify thy name,
From whom alone my birth,
And all my blessing came;
Creating and preserving grace
Let all that is within me praise.

3 My soul, and all its powers,
Thine, wholly thine shall be;
All, all my happy hours
I consecrate to thee;
Whate’er I have, whate’er I am,
Shall magnify my Maker’s name.

4 Long as I live beneath,
To thee O let me live,
To thee my every breath
In thanks and blessings give;
Me to thine image, Lord, restore,
And I shall praise thee evermore.

1175 8s & 7s.
For thy name’s sake, lead me etc.
Psalm 31:3.

Gently, Lord, O gently lead us
Through this gloomy vale of tears,
Through the changes thou’st decreed us,
Till our last great change appears.
O! refresh us with thy blessing,
O! refresh us with thy grace,
May thy mercies never ceasing,
Fit us for thy dwelling place.

2 When temptation’s darts assail us,
When in devious paths we stray,
Let thy goodness never fail us,
Lead us in thy perfect way.
O! refresh us with thy blessing, etc.

3 In the hour of pain and anguish,
In the hour when death draws near,
Suffer not our hearts to languish,
Suffer not our souls to fear.
O! refresh us with thy blessing, etc.

4 When this mortal life is ended,
Bid us in thine arms to rest,
Till by angel bands attended,
We awake among the blest.
O! refresh us with thy blessing, etc.

5 Then, O! crown us with thy blessing,
Through the triumphs of thy grace;
Then shall praises never ceasing,
Echo through thy dwelling place.
O! refresh us with thy blessing, etc.

MORNING HYMNS.

1176 L. M.
They are new every morning.
Lam. 3:23.

New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.

2 New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray:
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

3 Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be
As more of heaven in each we see;
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care.

4 Only, O Lord, in thy dear love,
Fit us for perfect rest above,
And keep us this, and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray.

1177 L. M.
Be thou their arm every morning.
Isaiah 33:2.

Lord of eternal truth and might!
Ruler of nature’s changing scheme!
Who dost bring forth the morning light,
And temper noon’s effulgent beam:

2 Quench thou in us the flames of strife,
And bid the heat of passion cease;
From perils guard our feeble life,
And keep our souls in perfect peace.

1178 L. M.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Psalm 16:8.

Forth in thy name, O Lord! I go,
My daily labors to pursue;
Thee, only thee, resolved to know
In all I think, or speak, or do.

2 Thee will I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes mine inmost substance see,
And labor on at thy command,
And offer all my works to thee.

3 For thee delightfully employ
Whate’er thy bounteous grace hath given,
And run my course with constant joy,
And closely walk with thee to heaven.

1179 L. M.
Be thou in the fear of the Lord, etc.
Prov. 23:17.

God of the morning, at whose voice
The cheerful sun makes haste to rise,
And, like a giant, doth rejoice
To run his journey through the skies!

2 O, like the sun may I fulfill
The appointed duties of the day;
With ready mind, and active will,
March on and keep my heavenly way.

1180 L. M.
Burn thereon sweet incense every morning.
Exodus 30:7.

I praise thy name, O God of Light,
For rest and safety through the night;
Beneath thy wing securely kept,
I closed my eyes and sweetly slept.

2 Redeemed from weariness, I rise
To greet the light with cheerful eyes;
And with the birds on joyful wing,
My soul would rise, and sweetly sing.

3 I thank thee, Lord, for all thy care,
For all the blessings that I share—
Life, reason, health, and home, and friends,
And every gift thy goodness sends.

4 O let me never, never cease
To cherish trust and thankfulness:
From thee, thou Maker of my frame,
Each undeservéd blessing came.

5 As numberless as stars of heaven,
Are the rich bounties thou hast given;
And fresh as dews, and sweet as flowers,
The love that smiles on all my hours.

6 O let me to thy altar bring
A pure and grateful offering;
And let my thanks, as incense, rise
In Christ, a pleasing sacrifice.

1181 L. M.
A morning invocation.

Awake, my soul! and with the sun
Thy daily course of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

2 Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart!
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who, all night long, unwearied sing
Glory to the eternal King.

3 Glory to thee, who safe hast kept,
And hast refreshed me, while I slept:
Grant, Lord! when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless life partake.

4 Lord! I my vows to thee renew;
Scatter my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill.

1182 C. M.
He giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:2.

Lord of my life! O may thy praise
Employ my noblest powers,
Whose goodness lengthens out my days
And fills the circling hours.

2 While many spent the night in sighs,
And restless pains and woes,
In gentle sleep I closed my eyes,
And undisturbed repose.

3 O let the same Almighty care
My waking hours attend;
From every danger, every snare,
My heedless steps defend.

4 Smile on my minutes as they roll,
And guide my future days;
And let thy goodness fill my soul
With gratitude and praise.

1183 C. M.
In the morning, etc.
Psalm 5:3.

To thee let my first offerings rise,
Whose sun creates the day;
Swift as his gladdening influence flies,
And spotless as his ray.

2 This day thy favoring hand be nigh,
So oft vouchsafed before:
Still may it lead, protect, supply,
And I that hand adore.

3 If bliss thy providence impart,
For which, resigned, I pray;
Give me to feel the grateful heart,
And thus thy love repay.

4 Afflictions should thy love intend,
As vice or folly’s cure,
Patient to gain that glorious end,
May I the means endure!

5 Be this and every future day
Still wiser than the past,
And when I all my life survey,
May grace sustain at last.

1184 S. M.
A morning without clouds.
2 Sam. 23:4.

See how the rising sun
Pursues his shining way;
And wide proclaims his Maker’s praise,
With every brightening ray.

2 Thus would my rising soul
Its heavenly parent sing;
And to its great Original
An humble tribute bring.

3 O may I grateful use
The blessings I receive;
And ne’er in thought, in word, or deed,
His holy Spirit grieve.

4 May all my days and powers
Be sacred, Lord, to thee:
And in thy presence may I spend
A blest eternity!

1185 S. M.
I will sing of thy mercy in the morning.
Psalm 59:16.

The morning light returns,
The sun begins to shine;
Now let our souls in haste arise,
To run the race divine.

2 We praise the Father’s love,
Who kept us through the night;
O may his kindness be our song,
His pleasure our delight.

3 While passing through this day,
Lord, we implore thy care,
To guide us on the heavenly way,
And guard from every snare.

4 And when our life shall close,
O may it be in peace;
May we lie down in sweet repose,
And wake in endless bliss.

1186 7s.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning.
Psalm 5:3.

Now the shades of night are gone;
Now the morning light is come;
Lord, may I be thine to-day—
Drive the shades of sin away.

2 Fill my soul with heavenly light,
Banish doubt, and cleanse my sight;
In thy service, Lord, to-day,
Help me labor, help me pray.

3 Keep my haughty passions bound—
Save me from my foes around;
Going out and coming in,
Keep me safe from every sin.

4 When my work of life is past,
O! receive me then at last!
When I reach the heavenly shore,
Night of sin will be no more.

1187 7s.
Psalm 3:5.

Thou that dost my life prolong,
Kindly aid my morning song;
Thankful let my offerings rise
To the God that rules the skies.

2 Gently, with the dawning ray,
On my soul thy beams display;
Sweeter than the smiling morn,
Let thy cheering light return.

1188 7s & 3s.
The Lord God is a Sun.
Psalm 84:11.

Jesus, Sun of Righteousness,
Brightest beam of love divine,
With the early morning rays
Do thou on our darkness shine,
And dispel with purest light
All our night!

2 Like the sun’s reviving ray,
May thy love, with tender glow,
All our coldness melt away,
Warm and cheer us forth to go,
Gladly serve thee and obey
All the day!

3 Thou, our only Life and Guide!
Never leave us nor forsake:
In thy light may we abide
Till the eternal morning break—
Moving on to Zion’s hill
Homeward still!

EVENING HYMNS.

1189 L. M.
Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
Psalm 17:8.

Glory to thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath thine own almighty wings.

2 Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son,
The ill which I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3 Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
Teach me to die, that so I may
Rise glorious at thy Judgment-day.

4 O let my soul on thee repose,
And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
Sleep, which shall me more vigorous make,
To serve my God when I awake.

5 Be thou my guardian while I sleep,
Thy watchful station near me keep;
My heart with love celestial fill,
And guard me from the approach of ill.

6 Lord, let my soul for ever share
The bliss of thy paternal care:
’Tis heaven on earth, ’tis heaven above,
To see thy face and sing thy love!

1190 L. M.
I will lay me down in peace.
Psalm 4:8.

Thus far the Lord has led me on;
Thus far his power prolongs my days;
And every evening shall make known,
Some fresh memorial of his grace.

2 Much of my time has run to waste,
And I, perhaps, am near my home;
But he forgives my follies past;
He gives me strength for days to come.

3 I lay my body down to sleep;
Peace is the pillow for my head;
While well-appointed angels keep
Their watchful stations round my bed.

4 Thus, when the night of death shall come,
My flesh shall rest beneath the ground,
And wait thy voice to rouse my tomb,
With sweet salvation in the sound.

1191 C. M.
The angel of the Lord, etc.
Psalm 34:7.

And now another day is gone,
I’ll sing my Maker’s praise;
My comforts every hour make known
His providence and grace.

2 I lay my body down to sleep;
Let angels guard my head;
And through the hours of darkness keep
Their watch around my bed.

3 With cheerful heart I close my eyes,
Since thou wilt not remove;
And in the morning let me rise,
Rejoicing in thy love.

1192 C. M.
Let my prayer come before thee, etc.
Psalm 141:2.

Blest Sovereign, let my evening song
Like holy incense rise;
Assist the offerings of my tongue
To reach the lofty skies.

2 Through all the dangers of the day,
Thy hand was still my guard;
And still, to drive my wants away,
Thy mercy stood prepared.

3 Perpetual blessings from above
Encompass me around;
But O how few returns of love
Hath my Creator found!

4 Lord, with this guilty heart of mine,
To thy dear cross I flee;
And to thy grace my soul resign,
To be renewed by thee.

1193 C. M.
The day goeth away.
Jer. 6:4.

Hail, tranquil hour of closing day!
Begone, disturbing care;
And look, my soul, from earth away,
To him who heareth prayer.

2 How sweet the tear of penitence,
Before his throne of grace,
While, to the contrite spirit’s sense,
He shows his smiling face.

3 How sweet, through long remembered years,
His mercies to recall;
And, pressed with wants, and griefs, and fears,
To trust his love for all.

4 How sweet to look, in thoughtful hope,
Beyond this fading sky,
And hear him call his children up
To his fair home on high.

5 Calmly the day forsakes our heaven,
To dawn beyond the west;
So let my soul, in life’s last even,
Retire to glorious rest.

1194 C. M. D.
The shadows of the evening, etc.
Jer. 6:4.

The shadows of the evening hours
Fall from the darkening sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flowers
The dews of evening lie:
Before thy throne, O Lord of heaven,
We kneel at close of day;
Look on thy children from on high,
And hear us while we pray.

2 The sorrows of thy servants, Lord,
O, do not thou despise;
But let the incense of our prayers
Before thy mercy rise;
The brightness of the coming night
Upon the darkness rolls:
With hopes of future glory chase
The shadows on our souls.

3 Slowly the rays of daylight fade;
So fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy,
That one by one depart;
Slowly the bright stars, one by one,
Within the heavens shine;
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven
And trust in things divine.

4 Let peace, O Lord, thy peace, O God,
Upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears and perils, thou
Our trembling hearts defend;
Give us a respite from our toil,
Calm and subdue our woes;
Through the long day we suffer, Lord,
O, give us now repose!

1195 S. M.
Now is our salvation nearer, etc.
Rom. 13:11.

A sweetly solemn thought,
Comes to me o’er and o’er;
To-day, I’m nearer to my home
Than e’er I’ve been before.

2 Nearer my Father’s house,
Where many mansions be,
And nearer to the great white throne,
Nearer the crystal sea;

3 Nearer the bound of life,
Where falls my burden down;
Nearer to where I leave my cross,
And where I gain my crown.

4 Saviour, confirm my trust,
Complete my faith in thee;
And let me feel as if I stood
Close on eternity;

5 Feel as if now my feet
Were slipping o’er the brink;
For I may now be nearer home,
Much nearer than I think.

1196 S. M.
He that keepest Israel shall not sleep.
Psalm 121:4.

Another day is past,
The hours for ever fled;
And time is bearing me away,
To mingle with the dead.

2 My mind in perfect peace
My Father’s care shall keep;
I yield to gentle slumber now,
For thou canst never sleep.

3 How blesséd, Lord, are they,
On thee securely stayed!
Nor shall they be in life alarmed,
Nor be in death dismayed.

1197 S. M.
The day is past and gone.

The day is past and gone,
The evening shades appear;
O may we all remember well
The night of death draws near.

2 We lay our garments by,
Upon our beds to rest;
So death will soon disrobe us all
Of what we now possess.

3 Lord, keep us safe this night,
Secure from every fear,
Beneath the pinions of thy love,
Till morning light appear.

4 And when we early rise,
To view the unwearied sun,
May we set out to win the prize
And after glory run.

5 And when our days are past,
And we from time remove,
O may we in thy bosom rest—
The bosom of thy love.

1198 7s, 6 lines.
The evening sacrifice.
Psalm 141:2.

Now from labor and from care
Evening shades have set me free,
In the work of praise and prayer,
Lord, I would converse with thee;
O, behold me from above,
Fill me with a Saviour’s love.

2 For the blessings of this day,
For the mercies of this hour,
For the gospel’s cheering ray,
For the Spirit’s quickening power,
Grateful notes to thee I raise;
Lord! accept my song of praise.

1199 7s.
Softly, now, the light of day.

Softly, now, the light of day
Fades upon my sight away;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord! I would commune with thee.

2 Soon, for me, the light of day
Shall for ever pass away;
Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take me, Lord! to dwell with thee.

1200 7s & 6s.
Twilight.

The mellow eve is gliding
Serenely down the west;
So, every care subsiding,
My soul would sink to rest.

2 The woodland hum is ringing
The daylight’s gentle close;
May angels round me, singing,
Thus hymn my last repose.

3 The evening star has lighted
Her crystal lamp on high;
So, when in death benighted,
May hope illume the sky.

4 In golden splendor dawning,
The morrow’s light shall break;
O, on the last bright morning
May I in glory wake!

1201 P. M.
Evening aspiration.

God that madest earth and heaven,
Darkness and light!
Who the day for toil hast given,
For rest the night!
May thine angel guards defend us,
Slumber sweet thy mercy send us,
Holy dreams and hopes attend us,
This livelong night!

1202 8s & 7s.
Saviour! breathe an evening blessing.

Saviour! breathe an evening blessing,
Ere repose our eyelids seal;
Sin and want we come confessing;
Thou canst save, and thou canst heal.

2 Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrows past us fly,
Angel-guards from thee surround us—
We are safe if thou art nigh.

3 Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness can not hide from thee:
Thou art he who, never weary,
Watcheth where thy people be.

4 Should swift death this night o’ertake us,
And our couch become our tomb,
May the morn in heaven awake us,
Clad in bright and deathless bloom.

1203 8s & 7s.
Abide with us.

Tarry with me, O my Saviour,
For the day is passing by;
See the shades of evening gather,
And the night is drawing nigh.

2 Many friends were gathered round me
In the bright days of the past;
But the grave has closed above them,
And I linger here at last.

3 Deeper, deeper grow the shadows;
Paler now the glowing west;
Swift the night of death advances;
Shall it be the night of rest?

4 Feeble, trembling, fainting, dying,
Lord, I cast myself on thee;
Tarry with me through the darkness!
While I sleep, still watch by me.

5 Tarry with me, O my Saviour!
Lay my head upon thy breast
Till the morning; then awake me—
Morning of eternal rest!

1204 8s & 7s.
While I was musing.
Psalm 39:3.

Silently the shades of evening
Gather round my lowly door;
Silently they bring before me
Faces I shall see no more.

2 O! the lost, the unforgotten,
Though the world be oft forgot;
O! the shrouded and the lonely—
In our hearts they perish not.

3 Living in the silent hours,
Where our spirits only blend,
They, unlinked with earthly trouble,
We, still hoping for its end.