Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-11-13
goftrp.
81 WOULD NOT LIVE ALwAY."
To THE EDITOR OF THE INQUIRER.

To THE EDITOR OF THE INQUIRER:
There are few hymn-books of the various
Churches which do not include in their list
of hymns, the beautiful one commencing
with the words Il would not live alway;
ask not to stay, and there are few persons,
/ Christians especially, who have not sung,
and admired, and loved it, and been made
happier and better BY it, and yet there arc
few, comparatively. who know the author
ship, or have ever seen the original poem,
from which the hymn, as now in use, Is
taken.
Having a manuscript copy many years
old, in the handwriting of one, now gone to
behold the King in Ills beauty, who Of
ten perused it, in full sympathy with It's
longing desire to depart and be with
Christ, | transcribe it for the pleasure and
benefit Of your readers.
1t was written during the early days Of
the author, Rev Wm. A. Muhlenberg, ID,
now Of New York City then Rector of st.
james Episcopal Church, Lancaster, Pa;
81 ieould not Tire aicoy"-Job viii, 10.
would not live Away; no. no, holy man,
Not day, not an hour, SHOULD eugthen my span;
The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here,
Are enough for hfes woes, fall enough for its
cheer.
Would not go the path which the Prophets Of
Apostles and Martyrs so joy fully tr5d?
While brethren and friends are all fastening
home
Like spirit uublest, DER the earth would I4oam?
H.
l would not live alway; I ask not to stay,
Where storm after storm rises dark DER the way;
Where seeking for peace, we bat hover around
Like the Patriarch's bird-and no resting is found
Where Hope, when she paints her gay bow in the
air,
Leaves its brillianee to fade in the night Of des-
pair;
And joys ieeting angel ne'cr sheds glad ray,
Save the gleam Of the plumage that bears him
away.
III.
I would not live alway; thus fetJer'd by sin,
Temptation without and corruption within:
In a moment Of strength, if sever the chain,
Scarce the victory's mine, ere I'm captive again;
Zen the rapture Of pardon is mingled with fears,
And my cup Of thanksgiving with peuitent tears:
The festival trump calls for jubiant songs,
But my spirit her own D1iseyere prolongs
"
I would not live aIway; 30, welcome the tomb;
Immoriality's lamp burns there bright mid the
gloom.
There too is the pillow where Christ how'd His
head.
Sweet, sweet be my sIumbers on that holy bed:
But sweeter the morn which shall follow thatnight
When the sunrise Of glory shall beam on my sight,
when the full naatia song, as the sIeepers arise
To hail the blest morning, shall peal through the
skies.
Who, who would live Away, away from his God;
Away from yon heaven, that blissfu abode
Where the rivers Of pleasure Guw Ger the hrish.
plains,
And the noontide Of glory eteruaiIy reigns;
Where the saints Of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Lord and each other, transported to greet
While the anthems Of rapture increasingly roll,
And the smile Of Jchovah's the feast Of the soul
VI.
That heavenly music What is it ] hear?
The notes Of the harpers ring sweet in the airs
And see. soft unfolding the portals Of gold,
The King all array d in His beauty, behold!
Oh, give me oh. give me the wings Of dove
I'll hasten my fight to that palace above;
Yea; It's now that my soul, on glad piuions would
soar,
Add in ecstacy bid earth adieu-evermore.