Again, as evening’s shadow falls,
We gather in these hallowed walls;
And vesper hymn and vesper prayer
Rise mingling on the holy air.

May struggling hearts that seek release
Here find the rest of God’s own peace;
And, strengthened here by hymn and prayer,
Lay down the burden and the care.

O God, our Light! to Thee we bow;
Within all shadows standest Thou;
Give deeper calm than night can bring;
Give sweeter songs than lips can sing.

Life’s tumult we must meet again,
We cannot at the shrine remain;
But in the spirit’s secret cell
May hymn and prayer forever dwell.

Arise, my gracious God,
And make the wicked flee;
They are but Thy chastising rod,
To drive Thy saints to Thee.

Behold, the sinner dies,
His haughty words are vain;
Here in this life his pleasure lies,
And all beyond is pain.

Then let his pride advance,
And boast of all his store;
The Lord is my inheritance,
My soul can wish no more.

I shall behold the face
Of my forgiving God;
And stand complete in righteousness,
Washed in my Savior’s blood.

There is a new heav’n begun,
When I awake from death,
Dressed in the likeness of Thy Son,
And draw immortal breath.

Lord, I am Thine; but Thou wilt prove
My faith, my patience, and my love:
When men of spite against me join,
They are the sword, the hand is Thine.

Their hope and portion lies below:
’Tis all the happiness they know,
’Tis all they seek; they take their shares,
And leave the rest among their heirs.

What sinners value I resign;
Lord, ’tis enough that Thou art mine:
I shall behold Thy blissful face,
And stand complete in righteousness.

This life’s a dream, an empty show;
But the bright world to which I go
Hath joys substantial and sincere:
When shall I wake and find me there?

O glorious hour! O bless’d abode!
I shall be near and like my God!
And flesh and sin no more control
The sacred pleasures of the soul.

My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound;
Then burst the chains in sweet surprise,
And in my Savior’s image rise.

When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

Refrain

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.

Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessèd face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.

Refrain

Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

Refrain

Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

Refrain

Some sweet morn the day will break,
Nevermore to sink in night.
Some sweet morn we shall awake,
Mid the everlasting light.

Refrain

We are waiting for “the turning of the morning,”
We are watching for the breaking of the dawn;
Morn of morns, oh, haste thy glad appearing!
Day of days, speed on, speed on, speed on!

Some sweet day the end shall come
To our parting and our pain,
Some sweet day we’ll all go home,
Nevermore to part again.

Refrain

Some sweet hour our mortal frame
Shall His glorious image wear.
Some sweet hour our worthless name
All His majesty shall share.

Refrain

Some sweet day our tongue shall tell
All the story of His love.
Some sweet day our song shall swell
Loud and sweet as songs above.

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Some sweet morn we’ll see His face,
And we shall be satisfied.
Some sweet day in His embrace
We shall evermore abide.

Refrain