Mortality and Life.

S. M., D.

744

A

A few more seasons come,

And we shall be with those that rest

Asleep within the tomb:

Then, O my Lord, prepare

My soul for that great day;
Oh, wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away!

2 A few more storms shall beat
On this wild, rocky shore;

And we shall be where tempests cease,
And surges swell no more:
Then, O my Lord, prepare

My soul for that calm day;
Oh, wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away!

3 A few more struggles here,

A few more partings o'er,

A few more toils, a few more tears,

And we shall weep no more:

Then, O my Lord, prepare

My soul for that blest day ;

Oh, wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away!

And He shall come again,

Who died that we might live, who lives
That we with Him may reign:

Then, O my Lord, prepare

My soul for that glad day;

Oh, wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away!

745

I

WOULD not live alway: I ask not to stay

Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way; The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its cheer.

2 I would not live alway, thus fettered by sin,

Temptation without and corruption within:
E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears,
And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears.

3 I would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb;
Since Jesus hath 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.

4 Who, who would live alway, away from his God? Away from yon heavén, that blissful abode, Where the rivers of pleasure flow o'er the bright plains,

And the noontide of glory eternally reigns :

5 Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet, While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul.

746

I

AM

Ils.

weary of straying; oh fain would I rest
In the far distant land of the pure and the blest,
Where sin can no longer her blandishments spread,
And tears and temptations forever have fled.

2 I am weary of loving what passes away;
The sweetest, the dearest, alas, may not stay;
I long for that land where these partings are o'er,
And death and the tomb can divide hearts no more.

3 I am weary, my Saviour, of grieving Thy love; Oh, when shall I rest in Thy presence above? I am weary-but oh, let me never repine, While Thy word, and Thy love, and Thy promise are mine.

747

8s & 7s, D

MY days are gliding swiftly by,

And I, a pilgrim stranger,

Would not detain them as they fly,
Those hours of toil and danger.

CHORUS.

For oh, we stand on Jordan's strand,
Our friends are passing over;
And just before, the shining shore
We may almost discover.

2 We'll gird our loins, my brethren dear,
Our heavenly home discerning;
Our absent Lord has left us word,
Let every lamp be burning.

CHORUS. For oh, we stand, etc.

3 Should coming days be cold and dark,
We need not cease our singing;
That perfect rest nought can molest,
Where golden harps are ringing.
CHORUS.-For oh, we stand, etc.

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!

CHORUS. For oh, we stand, etc.

748

8s & 75,

D.

AYFARERS in the wilderness,

WA

By morn, and noon, and even,
Day after day, we journey on

With weary feet towards heaven.
CHORUS.

Oh land above! oh 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.

CHORUS.-Oh land above, etc.

3 Each morning find we, as He said,
The dew of daily manna ;
And ever when a foe appears,

4

749

Confronts him Christ our Banner.

CHORUS.-Oh land above, etc.

The sea was riven for our feet,

And so shall be the river;

And by the King's highway brought home,
We'll praise His Name for ever.
CHORUS.—Oh land above, etc.

O

NE sweetly solemn thought
Comes to me o'er and o'er ;

I'm nearer home to-day,

Than I have been before:
Nearer my Father's house,
Where many mansions be,
Nearer the great white throne,
Nearer the crystal sea.

6s, D.

750

2 Nearer the bound of life,

Where burdens are laid down,
Nearer to leave the cross,
And nearer to the crown;
But lying dark between,

And winding through the night,
The deep and unknown stream
Crossed ere we reach the light.

3 Jesus, confirm my trust;
Strengthen the hand of faith
To feel Thee, when I stand
Upon the shore of death.
Be near me when my feet

Are slipping o'er the brink,
For I am nearer home,
Perhaps, than now I think.

THERE is a blessed home

Beyond this land of woe,
Where trials never come,
Nor tears of sorrow flow;
Where faith is lost in sight,

And patient hope is crowned,

And everlasting light

Its glory throws around.

2 Oh joy all joys beyond,

To see the Lamb who died,
And count each sacred wound
In hands, and feet, and side!
To give to Him the praise
Of every triumph won,

And sing through endless days

The great things He hath done!

6s, D.