Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-05-08
4aBs.
PoE r, "


WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAYS.
BY THE LATE REV. DIR. MUHLENBERG.
1 would not live always; ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark DER tht
way;
The few lurid mornings that dawn ON us here
Are enough for life's woes, full enough for it.
cheer.
would not live always thus fettered by sin,
Temptation without and corruption within:
Fen the rapture of pardon is mingled with
fears,
And the cup of Thanksgiving with peniten1
tears.
I would not live always, no, welcome the tomb
gloom;
There sweet be my rest till He bid me arise
To hail Him in triumph descending the skies
Who. who would live always away from his
God
Away from your Heaven. that bussful abode,
Where rivers of pleasure flow bright oer the
plains,
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns:
There saints Of all ages in harmony meet,
greet,
While anthems Of rapture increasingly roll,
And the smile OF the Lord is the feast of the
soul.
THE SAME.
AS FIRST WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED IN THE
episcopal. RECORD, 1924.
would not live alway-live alway below;
Oh, no; I'll not linger when hidden to go;
The days of our pilgrimage granted us here,
Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its
cheer;
Would shrink from the paths which the
prophets OF God,.
Apostles, and martyrs. SO joyfully trod?
Like spirit unblessed DER the earth would I
While brethren and friends are all Fastening
home.
I would not live alway-I ask not to stay.
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the
way;
Where, seeking for rest, we but 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 radiance to fade in the night Of de-
spair.
And joys f1eeting angel ne'er sheds glad ray,
Save the gleam of the plumage that bears him
away.
I would not live alway-thus fettered by sin,
Temptation without and corruption within;
In moment of strength If sever the chain,
Scarce the victory is mine ere I'm captive
again;
Zen the rapture ofpardon is mingled with fears,
And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent
tears.
The festival trump calls for jubilant songs,
But my spirit her own miserere prolongs.
would not live alway-no, welcome the tomb ;
Since Jesus hath lain there dread not its
gloom.
Where he delgned to sleep I'll too bow my head,
All peaceful to slumber on that hallowed bed.
Then the glorious daybreak to follow that night,
-ahe Orient gleam of the angels Of light,
With their clarion call for their sleepers to rise
And chant forth their mathis on their way to
the skies.
Who would live always away from his God,
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where the rivers Of pleasure flow Ger the bright
plains,
And the noont1de OF glory eternally reigns;
Where the saints Of all ages in harmony meet
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet.
While the songs of salvation exultingly ron,
And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the
soul?
That heavenly music! what is it hear?
The notes of the harper ring sweet in mine
ear!
And see, soft unfolding those portals of gold,
The King all arrayed in His beauty behold!
o, give me; O, give me the wings of a dove,
To adore Him, be near Him, enrapt in His love;
but wait the summons. list for the word
Alleluia-amen-evermor with the Lord.