Hark! a voice saith, All are mortal, Yea, all flesh must fade as grass, Only through Death's gloomy portal, To a better life ye pass, And this body form'd of clay, Here must languish and decay, Ere it rise in glorious might, Fit to dwell with saints in light. | Therefore, since my God doth choose it, Willingly I yield my life, Nor I grieve that I should lose it, For with sorrows it was rife; And my Saviour suffer'd here That I might not faint nor fear, Since for me He bore my load And hath trod the same dark road. | For my sake He went before me, And His death is now my gain; Peace and hope He conquer'd for me, So without regret or pain To His lovely home I go, From this land of toil and woe, Glad to reach that blest abode Where I shall behold my God. | There is joy beyond our telling Where so many saints are gone; Thousand thousands there are dwelling, Worshipping before the throne, There the seraphim on high Brightly shine, and ever cry "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord! There in One for aye adored!" | O Jerusalem, how clearly Dost Thou shine, Thou city fair! Lo! I hear the tones more nearly, Ever sweetly sounding there! Oh what peace and joy hast thou! Lo the Sun is rising now, And the breaking day I see That shall never end for me! | Yea, I see what here was told me, See that wondrous glory shine, Feel the spotless robes enfold me, Know a golden crown is mine; So before the throne I stand One amid that glorious band, Gazing on that joy for aye That shall never pass away! | |