2 They die in Jesus, and are blessed: How kind their slumbers are!

From sufferings and from sins released, And freed from every snare.

3 Far from this world of toil and strife, They 're present with the Lord! The labors of their mortal life

End in a large reward.

464.

S. M.

WILSON.

I heard a Voice from Heaven.

1 I HEARD a voice from heaven
Say, "Blessed is the doom
Of those whose trust is in the Lord,
When sinking to the tomb!"

2 The Holy Spirit spake-
And I the words repeat-

"Blessed are they"-for, after toil,
To mortals rest is sweet.

465.

L. M.

MRS. BARBAULD.

The Righteous blessed in Death.

1 How blessed the righteous when he dies! When sinks a weary soul to rest,

How mildly beam the closing eyes,
How gently heaves the expiring breast!

2 So fades a summer cloud away,
So sinks the gale when storms are o'er,
So gently shuts the eye of day,
So dies a wave along the shore.

3 A holy quiet reigns around,

A calm which life nor death destroys;
Nothing disturbs that peace profound,
Which his unfettered soul enjoys.

4 Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears, Where lights and shades alternate dwell; How bright the unchanging morn appears! Farewell, inconstant world, farewell!

5 Life's duty done, as sinks the clay, Light from its load the spirit flies;

While heaven and earth combine to say, "How blessed the righteous when he dies!"

466.

C. M.

J. NEWTON.

The Death of a Believer.

1 In vain our fancy strives to paint
The moment after death,

The glories that surround the saints,
When yielding up their breath.

2 One gentle sigh their fetters breaks!
We scarce can say, 66

"They're gone!"
Before the willing spirit takes
Her mansion near the throne.

3 Faith strives, but all its efforts fail
To trace her in its flight;
No eye can pierce within the veil
Which hides that world of light.

4 Thus much, and this is all we know,
They are completely blest;

Have done with sin, and care, and woe,
And with their Saviour rest.

5 On harps of gold they praise his name,
His face they always view;
Then let us followers be of them,
That we may praise him too.

467.

C. M.

DODDRIDGE.

Near Approach of Salvation.

1 AWAKE, ye saints, and raise your eyes,
And raise your voices high;
Awake, and praise that sovereign love,
That shows salvation nigh.

2 On all the wings of time it flies;
Each moment brings it near;
Then welcome each declining day!
Welcome each closing year!

3 Not many years their round shall run,
Not many mornings rise,
Ere all its glories stand revealed
To our admiring eyes.

4 Ye wheels of nature, speed your course; Ye mortal powers, decay;

Fast as ye bring the night of death,
Ye bring eternal day.

1 As when the weary traveller gains The height of some o'erlooking hill, His heart revives, if 'cross the plains He eyes his home, though distant still:

2 While he surveys the much-loved spot, He slights the space that lies between; His past fatigues are now forgot, Because his journey's end is seen:

3 Thus, when the Christian pilgrim views,
By faith, his mansion in the skies,
The sight his fainting strength renews,
And wings his speed to reach the prize.

4 The thought of home his spirit cheers; No more he grieves for troubles past, Nor any future trial fears,

So he may safe arrive at last.

5 'Tis there, he says, I am to dwell
With Jesus in the realms of day;
Then I shall bid my cares farewell,
And God shall wipe my tears away.
6 Father! on thee our hope depends,
To lead us on to thine abode:

Assured our home will make amends
For all our toil when on the road.

469. L. M.

MONTGOMERY.

Preparation for Heaven.

1 HEAVEN is a place of rest from sin,
But all who hope to enter there,
Must here that holy course begin,
Which shall their souls for rest prepare.

2 Clean hearts, O God, in us create,
Right spirits, Lord, in us renew;
Commence we now that higher state,
Now do thy will as angels do.

3 In Jesus' footsteps may we tread,
Learn every lesson of his love;
And be from grace to glory led,
From heaven below to heaven above.

470. C. M.

Immortal Joys.

MRS. STEELE.

1 How long shall earth's alluring toys Detain our hearts and eyes, Regardless of immortal joys,

And strangers to the skies?

2 These transient scenes will soon decay;
They fade upon the sight:

And quickly will their brightest day
Be lost in endless night.

3 O could our thoughts and wishes fly
Above earth's gloomy shades,
To those bright worlds beyond the sky,
Which sorrow ne'er invades !

4 There joys, unseen by mortal eyes
Or reason's feeble ray,
In ever-blooming prospect rise,
Unconscious of decay.

5 Lord, send a beam of light divine,
To guide our upward aim;
With one reviving ray of thine
Our languid hearts inflame.

6 Then shall on faith's sublimest wing
Our ardent wishes rise,

To those bright scenes, where pleasures spring

Immortal in the skies.