5. Dear Lord, accept the praise Of these our humble songs Till tunes of nobler sound we raise With our immortal tongues. Isaac Watts, 1709. 535 11s I would not live alway; I ask not to stay Where storm after storm rises dark o’er the way; The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here Are enough for life’s woes, full enough for its cheer. 2. I would not live alway; thus fettered by sin, Temptation without and corruption within; E’en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears. 3. I would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb; Since Jesus hath lain there, I dread not its gloom. There sweet be my rest till He bid me arise To hail Him in triumph descending the skies. 4. Who, who would live alway, away from his God? Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode, Where the rivers of pleasure flow o’er the bright plains, And the noontide of glory eternally reigns; 5. Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Savior and brethren transported to greet, While the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul? W. A. Muehlenberg, 1826. 536 7s Hark! a voice divides the sky: Happy are the faithful dead, In the Lord who sweetly die; They from all their toils are freed. 2. Them the Spirit hath declared Blest, unutterably blest; Jesus is their great Reward, Jesus is their endless Rest. 3. Followed by their works, they go Where their Head had gone before; Reconciled by grace below, Grace hath opened mercy’s door. 4. Justified through faith alone, Here they knew their sins forgiven; Here they laid their burden down, Hallowed and made meet for heaven. 5. When from flesh the spirit freed, Hastens homeward to return, Mortals cry, “A man is dead!” Angels sing, “A child is born!” Charles Wesley, 1742. 537 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7 Gentle Shepherd, Thou hast stilled Now Thy little lamb’s brief weeping; Ah! how peaceful, pale, and mild, In its narrow bed ’tis sleeping, And no sigh of anguish sore Heaves that little bosom more. 2. In this world of care and pain, Lord, Thou wouldst no longer leave it; To the sunny, heavenly plain Dost Thou now with joy receive it; Clothed in robes of spotless white, Now it dwells with Thee in light.