Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-05-24
0be pailp f)irainian.
From the Portland Advertiser.
81 Would not Live Away. |"

WOulO mOt Live AtWMJs
The Litchfeld Republican says that Henry
Ward. compositor of the Office OF that paper
wrote tho beautiful hymn. commencing 81
would not live Away" II has been attribu-
ted to Bishop Heber.
We find the above going the rounds OF the
newspapers. bat the following complete YER
vince the editor Of the Litchfeld Republican
that he is as much in error as arc those
who attributed it to Bishop Heber:
The Rev. DIR. Muhlenberg, of the Episcopal
Church, has published in the Evangelical
Catholic newspaper. Of which he is editor. the
following account Of this beautiful hymn:
The Is7th Hymn.
We have been so repeatedly urged by SOW
eral of our readers to give them the whole Of
the original of /" would not live Away" that
we length comply, though somewhat reluc-
family, as it has appeared at various times in
print before first in the Philadelphia Episco-
pal Recorder, somewhere about the year 1924.
II was written without the most remote idea
that any portion oft would ever be employed
in the devotions Of the church. Whatever SER
| vice il has done in that way, is owing 10 the
late Bishop of Pennsylvania, then the rector of
ST. AIMS Church. Brooklyn, who made tho
selections Of verses out OF The whole, which
constitutes the present hymn. and offered to
the committee on hymnsappoinied by the gen.
eral convention Of. The hymn was at first
rejected by the committee, OF which the un-
known author was member. who upon a sat-
irical criticism being made upon it. earnestly
voted against ils adoption. II was admitted
on the importupate application Of DIR. Onder-
donk 10 the Bishops OF the committee. The
following is a revised copy of tho original;
81 Would not Live Away" Job Z: a6.
would not live alway-- alwsy below
Oh, no, III not lnger whom hidden to go;
Tho dqys Of our pilgrimage granted Us here
Are enough Of fe's woes, full enough for Its cheor
Would shrink from the path which tho prophets Of
God,
Apostles and martyrs 80 joyfully trod1
While brethren and trends oil hastening home,
Lken spirit unblest DER the earth would roamf
would not live alway-I ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark DER the way;
Where seeking for ponce, we but hover around,
Like the patriarch's bird. and resting is found
Where hope, when she paints her gay bow in the air.
Lenves its brilliance to fndo in the night Of despair
And joys nccting angel ns'er sheds glad ray,
Save the CLEAN of the plumago that bears him away
Temptation without and corruption Within
In moment Of strength, If tho chain,
Scare tho vctory's mine, I'm captive again.
Fen the rapture Of pardon Ia mingled with fears,
And my cup ofthanksgiving with pentent tears
The festival trump calls for jubilant songs,
But my spirit her miscyere prolongs
would not live nlwny-no. welcome the tomb
Since Jesus has lain there dread not its gloom;
Where no degned to sleep, I'll toobow my head,
| oh, penc 'ful the slumbers on that halowed bed.
And then the glad dawn to follow that night
When the sunrise Of glory shall beam on my sight,
When the full matn song, as tho sleepers nrise
To shout in the morning. shall peel tiro tho skies
Who, who would live alway away from his God,
Away from yon heaven, that blssiul abode
Where tho rivers Of pleasure flow DER the bright plains
And the noontide of Of glory eternnlly reigns
Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet, M
While the songs of salvation exuliingly roll s
And the smile Of the Lord Is the fe ast Of tho soul
That heavenly music what Is IL heart
The notes of the harpers ring sweet in the air, 81
And see, soft unfolding those portals of gold
/ The king all arrnycd in his beauty behold
0, give me, o, gyeme the wings of dove!
Let me hasten my flight TO those mansons above! =
Aye, it's that my soul swift binions would soar
And in ecstacy bid earth adieu evermore.
WA. M.
The rocks known as the "Isaacs," on which
the ship William and Mary was wrecked and