Justified through faith alone,
Here they knew their sins forgiven, Here they laid their burden down, Hallow'd, and made fit for heaven.
Who can now lament the lot
Of a saint in Christ deceased?
Let the world, who know us not,
Call us hopeless and unbless'd:
When from flesh the spirit freed
Hastens homeward to return,
Mortals cry, "A man is dead!"
Angels sing, "A child is born!"
4 Born into the world above,
They our happy brother greet,
Bear him to the throne of love,
Place him at the Saviour's feet:
Jesus smiles, and says, "Well done,
Good and faithful servant thou,
Enter and receive Thy crown,
Reign with Me triumphant now."
5 Angels catch the' approving sound,
Bow, and bless the just award,
Hail the heir with glory crown'd,
Now rejoicing with his Lord;
Fuller joys ordain'd to know,
Waiting for the general doom,
When the' archangel's trump shall blow,
"Rise, ye dead, to judgment come."
After the Funeral.-A Midnight Hymn. 191
AFTER THE FUNERAL.
I COME, let us who in Christ believe
With saints and angels join,
Glory, and praise, and blessing give,
And thanks, to Love Divine.
2 Our friend in sure and certain hope
Hath laid his body down;
He knew that Christ shall raise him up,
And give the starry crown.
3 To all who His appearing love
He opens paradise;
And we shall join the hosts above,
And we shall grasp the prize.
4 Then let us wait to see the day,
To hear the joyful word,
To answer, Lo! we come away,
We die to meet our Lord.
I HEARKEN to the solemn voice,
The awful midnight cry,
Waiting souls, rejoice, rejoice,
And see the Bridegroom nigh:
Lo! He comes to keep His word;
Light and joy His looks impart;
Go ye forth to meet your Lord,
And meet Him in your heart.
2 Ye who faint beneath the load
Of sin, your heads lift up;
See your dear redeeming God,
He comes, and bids you hope:
In the midnight of your grief,
Jesus doth His mourners cheer,
Now He brings you sure relief;
Believe, and feel Him here.
3 Ye whose loins art girt, stand forth!
Whose lamps are burning bright,
Worthy, in your Saviour's worth,
To walk with Christ in light:
Jesus bids your hearts be clean,
Bids you all His promise prove;
Jesus comes to cast out sin,
And perfect you in love.
4 Happiest souls, (if such are here,)
Who have attain'd the prize,
Wait ye till your Lord appear,
Descending from the skies:
Still forget the things behind,
Toward your thrones of glory press; Stop not, till above find
The crown of righteousness.
5 Wait we all in patient hope,
Till Christ, the Judge, shall come;
We shall soon be all caught up
To meet the general doom :
In an hour to us unknown,
As a thief in deepest night,
Christ shall suddenly come down
With all His saints in light.
6 Happy he whom Christ shall find
Watching to see Him come;
Him the Judge of all mankind
Shall bear triumphant home:
Who can answer to His word?
Which of you dares meet His day?
Rise, and come to judgment !— Lord,
I rise, and come away!
I OFT have we pass'd the guilty night
In revellings and frantic mirth ;
The creature was our sole delight,
Our happiness the things of earth;
But O! suffice the season past,
We choose the better part at last.
2 We will not close our wakeful eyes,
We will not let our eyelids sleep,
But humbly lift them to the skies,
And all a solemn vigil keep :
So many nights on sin bestow'd,
Can we not watch one hour for God?
3 We can, dear Jesu, for Thy sake,
Devote our every hour to Thee:
Speak but the word, our souls shall wake,
And sing with cheerful melody;
Thy praise shall our glad tongues employ,
And every heart shall dance for joy.
4 Dear Object of our faith and love,
We listen for Thy welcome voice;
Our persons and our works approve,
And bid us in Thy strength rejoice:
Now let us hear the midnight cry,
And shout to find the Bridegroom nigh.
5 Shout in the midst of us, O King
Of saints, and let our joys abound;
Let us rejoice, give thanks, and sing,
And triumph in redemption found:
We ask for every waiting soul;
O let our glorious joy be full!
6 O may we all triumphant rise!
With joy upon our heads return,
And, far above these nether skies
By Thee on eagles' wings upborne, Through all yon radiant circles move, And gain the highest heaven of love!
I FATHER of uncreated light,
Fountain of life, and Source of power,
We tremble at Thy glory's height,
And, lost in silent praise, adore.
2 Truly Thou art a secret God,
That hid'st Thee in the deepest shade; Thy inaccessible abode
Thou hast in cloud and darkness made.
3 Darkness and clouds surround Thy throne, And veil the brightness of Thy face;
Still we revere a God unknown,
A bottomless abyss of grace.
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