O blessèd word! O voice of joy! Can aught affright us?--never! Let death who seeketh to destroy, Now disappear for ever! Though he rage sore, What can he more Than soul and body sever? And meanwhile I Mount up on high, In joy to dwell for ever. Christ's word gives deepest peace and joy, The robber's trouble stilleth; But He cries from the agony His holy breast that filleth, "Eli, my God, What heavy load Am I, Thy Son, now bearing? I call, and Thou Art silent now, Though I sink, seem'st not caring." This lesson learn, thou child of faith, When God His count'nance veileth, Lest thou be cast down in the path When trouble thee assaileth: Firm to Him cleave, Though He may leave, He'll comfort soon, and cheer thee; True do thou be, Cry mightily, Until He turn and hear thee. The Lord His voice now clear doth raise Through thirst that paineth sorely; "I thirst," the Spring eternal says, The Lord of life and glory. What meaneth He? He showeth thee How He thy load sinks under, That thou did'st pile For Him, the while In sin's ways thou did'st wander. Thereby He also telleth thee How much He longs that ever His cross in each may fruitful be, Fail of its end may never. Mark this all ye, Now carefully, Who're in soul tribulation: Th' eternal Sun Refuseth none The soul's part and salvation. And as the gloomy night of death Upon the Lord descended, "'Tis finish'd," He with dying breath Said, "now my work is ended; What was foretold In days of old, By seers who went before me, Doth now betide; I'm crucified, And men now triumph o'er me." "'Tis finish'd!"--why then toilest thou? In vain thy labour ever! As if aught human strength can do, Could e'er from guilt deliver! 'Tis done! beware, And never dare To add aught to it ever; Do thou believe, In faith aye cleave To Him, forsake Him never. His voice at length the Lord doth raise, High over all 'tis swelling: "My spirit, Father! to the place Take where Thou'rt ever dwelling, My soul receive, That now doth leave This body sorely riven." And at the word, To the great Lord Release from pain was given. Oh! would to God, that I might end My life as His was ended, My spirit unto God commend As His was then commended. O Christ, my Lord! May Thy last word The last be by me spoken; So happily I'll go to Thee, When life's last thread is broken. Resurrection of Christ.--Easter.