SUNDAY MORNING. (SONNTAGSFRÜHE.) My heart is bright with joy; A Day of blessing sheds its ray : There is the clear sound ringing forth, "Come to God's House to-day!" To-day, when He shall speak, Open thy heart, and keep thee still : Cease from the labours of thy hands, When God would work His Will. 'Tis Open House to-day : The hungry souls He portioneth With Living Bread; that all who eat May never taste of death. To-day, The Faithful Sower Goes forth, the good seed scattering: There, in each spirit where it dwells, Rich harvest it shall bring. To-day, The Shepherd True To-day, The Great Physician, Each pain and grief to still. This is a Day of Blessing; And joyful voices seem to say In the Bells' clear tones, "Come forth, O Soul, To the House of God to-day!" "HOW LONG WILL YE LOVE VANITY?" ("WIE HABT IHR DAS EITLE SO LIEB?") ETERNITY draws nearer Time hastens fast away: Mark'st thou its flight with gladness, Receivest thou life's being From what this world has given; And hast thou never tasted The powers of Life from Heaven? Does Heaven seem strange and distant— Is Earth thine only home? How shall it be, O Mortal, When death's dark hour is come! Bethink thee of the issue When earthly days are o'er : What doth this vain life promise When Time shall be no more? Soon shall its course be finished; Thy heart shall cease to move :— Shall the grave beneath thee open, But not the Heaven above? O let not sinful fancies Thy spirit's breath destroy ! Seek, in the time accepted, The Life that brings true joy : One only can impart it ; The Life Himself, Who saith "He that believeth, liveth; And dying, sees not death." LIFE AND FULL SUFFICIENCY IN JESUS. (LEBEN UND VOLLE GENÜGE IN JESU.) JESUS, my Sun, before Whose beams Night's shadows quickly flee ; Jesus, my Bliss, Who drivest far All grief and misery! One clear sound ringeth in my heart O Son of God, Thou Holy One, One instinct ever fills my soul, Yes, I would fain for this one Pearl Of earthly happiness. |