University of Virginia Library

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56

XIX
FOUR HYMNS FOR PUBLIC USE

CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Dark gateway of the house of God,
Which all Mankind must tread,
A light strikes through thee o'er the graves
Of Jesu's faithful dead!
For He has pass'd whose passing through
The way for us hath won;
The Resurrection and the Life
Secured by Him alone.

O destined Saviour of the world
Before the worlds began,
Thy riven grave and rising brought
The hope of hopes to man!
Lord, in that faith we see the day
Through death's own midnight shine:—
And resting in that faith to Thee
Our dear ones we resign.

Yet 'gainst ourselves, in love's behalf,
Our inmost heart will fight:
We clasp them fast, we know not how
To let them leave our sight.
The blank of his dear face we feel;
The voice beyond recall:

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And murmurs 'gainst Thy Will break out,
And rebel tears will fall.

Ah! Pardon!—by the crimson drops
Rain'd o'er Mount Olivet!
Before the downcast eyes of love
Our sure horizon set;—
The mortal frame for Heaven renew'd;
The soul from frailty free;
The heart within Thy heart received,
For ever one with Thee.

—Thou hast gone up on high, and left
Thy shining track afar,
To guide our feet before Thy face,
And where Thy children are.
Beneath Thy might the stingless darts
Of Death down-trampled lie:—
The gate of life stands wide for Man:—
—Thou hast gone up on high!