The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-04-19

would NOT LIVE ALWA Z"

Reverend Dr. VIM. A. Muhenberg died at st..
Lukes hospital, New York city, on the 9th inst,
In his 8lst year. He was the author of several
hymns. The hymn ~ would not live alway" is
one of his II was originally poe N Of some six
stanzas Of eight lines each, and first appeared in
the Episcopal Recorder Of Philadelphia In 1894
We give
THE POEM AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED:
would not live alway-live alway below
Oh, no I'll not llnger when hidden to go;
The day of our pilgrimage granted us here,
Are enough for lifes woes full enough for lts
cheer;
Would shrink from the paths which the prophets
of God
Apostles and martyrs so loyfully trodf
Like spirit unblest DER the earth would roam,
While brethren and friends are all fastening
home?
would not live Away i ask not to stay,
Where storm after storm rises dark DER 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 It's radiance to fade In the night of despair,
And Joys leeting angel neer sheds glad ray,
Save the CLEAN Of the plumage that bears him
away.
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 .niSerere prolongs
/ would not live alway-no, welcome the tomb;
Since Jesus has lain there, dread not It's gloom
Where He deigned TO sleep, I'll too bow my head
All peaceful to slumber on that hallowed bed
Then the glorious daybrake TO follow that night
The orient CLEAN of the angels of light,
With their clarion call for the sleepers to rise
And chant forth their mathis, away to the Skies
Who would live always away from his God
Away from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where the rivers of pleasure flow DER the bright
plains
And the noontide Of glory eternally relgns;
Where the saints Of all ages in harmony meet
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet
And the smile Of the Lord is the feast of the soul
That heavenly music what Is ii hear2
The notes of the harper ring sweet In mine ear
And see, softly 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, enwrapt in His love
| wait but the summons, list for the word
Allelulia-Amen-evermo with the Lord.
As now published In the hymn books and suns
| in the churches 1t is as follows
would not live alway; ask not TO stay
| Where storm after storm rises dark DER the way;
The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here
Are enough for LIES woes, full enough for it
cheer.
| would not live alway, thus fettered by sin.
Temptation without and corruption within;
E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears
And the cup of Thanksgiving with pinitent tears
| / would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb:
Since Jesus hath lain there dread not Its gloom
There sweet be my rest till he bid me arise
To hail Him In triumph descending the skies.
Who, who would live alway, away from his God
Alvey from yon heaven, that blissful abode,
Where the rivers of pleasure flow DER the brigh
plains,
And the noontide Of glory eternally reigns.
Where the saints Of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Saviour and brethren transported To greet;
While the anthems Of rapture increasingly roll
And the smile Of the Lord is the feast olthe soul