Hark to the trump! Behold, it breaks
The sleep of ages now:
And lo! the light of glory shines
On many aching brow.
Changed in a moment—raised to life,
The quick, the dead arise,
Responsive to the angel’s voice
That calls us to the skies.
Ascending through the crowded air,
On eagle’s wings we soar;
To dwell in the full joy of love,
And sorrow there no more.
Undazzled by the glorious light
Of that belovèd brow,
We see, without a single cloud,
We see the Savior now!
O Lord, the bright and blessèd hope
That cheered us through the past,
Of full eternal rest in Thee,
Is all fulfilled at last.
The cry of sorrow here is hushed,
The voice of prayer is o’er;*
’Tis needless now—for Lord, we crave
Thy gracious help no more.
Praise, endless praise alone becomes
This bright and blessèd place,
Where every eye beholds unveiled
The mysteries of Thy grace.
*This thought was suggested by the blessed experience of John Janeway on his death-bed, expressed in the following words, I expect no more here, I cannot desire more, I cannot bear more. O praise, praise, praise, that infinite boundless love that hath, to a wonder, looked upon my soul, and done more for me than thousands of his dear children.
Again: “More praise still, O help me to praise him! I have done with prayer, and all other ordinances: I have almost done conversing with mortals. I shall presently be beholding Christ himself, that loved me, and died for me, and washed me in his blood.”
