University of Virginia Library

LIV. ON THE DEATH OF SAMUEL HITCHENS.

Hymn 11.

Again we lift our voice,
And shout our solemn joys!

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Cause of highest rapture this,
Rapture that shall never fail,
See a soul escaped to bliss,
Keep the Christian festival!
Our friend is gone before
To that celestial shore!
He hath left his mates behind,
He hath all these storms outrode,
Found the rest we toil to find,
Landed in the arms of God.
And shall we mourn to see
Our fellow-prisoner free?
Free from doubts, and griefs, and fears,
In the haven of the skies!
Can we weep to see the tears
Wiped for ever from his eyes?
No, dear companion, no!
We gladly let thee go
From a suffering church beneath
To a reigning church above:
Thou hast more than conquer'd death,
Thou art crown'd with life, and love.
Thou in thy youthful prime
Hast leap'd the bounds of time;
Suddenly from earth released,
Lo! we now rejoice for thee,
Taken to an early rest,
Caught into eternity.
Thither we all repair,
That glorious bliss to share;

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We shall see the welcome day,
We shall to the summons bow:
Come, Redeemer, come away,
Now prepare, and take us now!