OH Jesus, precious Savior,
Oh when wilt Thou return?
Our hearts with woe familiar,
To Thee, our Master, turn.
Our woe is Thine, Lord Jesus,
Our joy is in Thy love;
But woe and joy all lead us
To Thee in Heaven above.
We ponder the long story
Of this world's mournful ways;
We think on holy glory
With Thee through endless days.
We see God's gracious order
All spoil'd by man below;
See all around disorder;
Meek hearts beset with woe.
Where'er we ope' the pages
In which Thy wondrous word,
Man's path through varied ages
Is given us to record,
Of failure, ruin, sorrow,
The story still we find;
God's love but brings the morrow
Of evil in mankind.
To Thee we look, Lord Jesus,
To Thee whose love we know;
We wait the power that frees us
From bondage, sin, and woe.
We look for Thine appearing,
Thy presence here to bless;
We greet the day that's nearing,
When all this woe shall cease.
But oh, for us, blest Savior,
How brighter far the lot
With Thee to be forever,
Where evil enters not.
To see Thee, who'st so loved us,
There, face to face, above,
grace at first had moved us
To taste and know Thy love.
With Thee, 0 Lord, forever,
Our souls shall be content;
Nor act, nor thought, shall ever
Full joy with Thee prevent.
Thy Father's perfect favor
Our dwelling-place shall be,
And all His glory ever
Shine forth on us and Thee.
0 come then soon, Lord Jesus,
In patience still we wait;
Await-the power that frees us-
Our longed-for, heavenly seat.
2.
SING without ceasing, sing
The Savior's present grace;
How all things shine
In light divine
For those who've seen His face.
He's gone within the veil;
For us that place He's won;
In Him we stand,
A heavenly band,
Where He Himself is gone.
There all 's unsullied light,
My heart lets in its rays,
And heavenly light
Makes all things bright,
Seen in that blissful gaze.
Such, here on earth, I am,
Though I in weakness roam;
My place on high,
God's self so nigh,
His presence is my home.
My heart is filled with bliss,
Heaven's own eternal joys!
My soul at rest,
Of peace possessed,
That world its strength employs.
Thus in divine delight,
Of love so richly given;
God's works below
With beauty glow,
His hand, His grace, I own.
And stayed by joy divine,
As hireling fills his day,
Through scenes of strife,
And desert life,
I tread in peace my way.
That way is upward still,
Where life and glory are;
My rest's above,
In perfect love,
The glory I shall share.
Forever with the Lord,
Forever like Him then,
And see His face,
In that blest place,
My Father's house in Heaven.-D.
3.
REVEALER of the Father's love,
And sharer of His Joy!
Be Thou, until we meet above,
Our way-worn hearts' employ.
For Thou, for us, wilt surely come,
And we to Thee ascend;
And then our conflict will be done,
And all our sorrow end.
Yes! we shall meet in heaven above,
Where all Thy glories shine;
Thou God of peace and boundless love,
The glory all is thine.-P.