Scripture Verse

Whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:10

Introduction

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John M. Neale (1818–1866)
Wikipedia

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Words: John M. Neale, Hymns for the Young, se­cond ser­ies, 1844.

Music: Warn­bo­rough Fred­er­ick Il­iffe, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1889 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Frederick Iliffe
1847–1928

Lyrics

They whose course on earth is o’er
Think they of their breth­ren more?
They be­fore the throne who bow,
Feel they for their breth­ren now?

We, by en­emies dis­tressed
They in pa­ra­dise at rest;
We the cap­tives—they the freed—
We and they are one in­deed.

One in all we seek or shun,
One—be­cause our Lord is one;
One in heart and one in love—
We be­low, and they above.

Those whom ma­ny a land di­vides,
Many moun­tains, ma­ny tides,
Have they with each oth­er part,
Fellowship of heart with heart?

Each to each may be un­known,
Wide apart their lots be thrown;
Differing tongues their lips may speak,
One be strong, and one be weak—

Yet in sac­ra­ment and pray­er
Each with oth­er hath a share;
Hath a share in tear and sigh,
Watch and fast, and li­ta­ny.

Saints de­part­ed ev­en thus
Hold com­mun­ion still with us;
Still with us, be­yond the veil
Praising, plead­ing with­out fail.

With them still our hearts we raise,
Share their work and join their praise,
Rendering wor­ship, thanks and love
To the Tri­ni­ty above.