Bright scenes of bliss, unclouded skies,

Invite

my soul;-O could I rise,

Nor leave a thought below!
I'd bid farewell to anxious care,

And say to every tempting snare,
"Heaven calls, and I must go."

Heaven calls, and can I yet delay ?
Can aught on earth engage my stay?

Ah, wretched, lingering heart!

Come, Lord, with strength, and life, and light, Assist and guide my upward flight,

And bid the world depart.

66 THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL

UNDERSTANDING."

FATHER! whate'er of earthly bliss

Thy sovereign will denies; Accepted at thy throne of grace, Let this petition rise;

Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessings of thy grace impart,

And let me live to Thee:

Let the sweet hope that thou art mine,
My life and death attend;

Thy presence through my journey shine,

And crown my journey's end.

IF YE LOVED ME, YE WOULD REJOICE, BECAUSE

I GO UNTO MY FATHER."

FORGIVE, blest shade, the tributary tear
That mourns thy exit from a world like this;
Forgive the wish that would have kept thee here,
And stayed thy progress to the seats of bliss.

No more confined to grovelling scenes of night,
No more a tenant pent in mortal clay;
Now should we rather hail thy glorious flight,
And track thy journey to the realms of day.

"THERE SHALL BE NO NIGHT THERE."

FAR from these narrow scenes of night,

Unbounded glories rise;

And realms of infinite delight,
Unseen by mortal eyes.

There pain and sickness never come,
And grief no more complains;
Health triumphs in immortal bloom,
And endless pleasure reigns.

No cloud these blissful regions know,
Realms ever bright and fair!
For sin, the source of mortal woe,

Can never enter there.

There no alternate night is known,

Nor sun's imperfect ray,

But glory, from the sacred throne,

Spreads everlasting day.

Fair distant land! could now our eyes
But half its charms explore,

How would our spirits long to rise,
And dwell on earth no more!

Oh, may the heav'nly vision fire
Our hearts with ardent love,
Till wings of faith and strong desire

Bear every thought above.