The Poetry Corner

Funeral Hymn.

By George Pope Morris

"Man dieth and wasteth away, And where is he?"--Hark! from the skies I hear a voice answer and say, "The spirit of man never dies: His body, which came from the earth, Must mingle again with the sod; But his soul, which in heaven had birth, Returns to the bosom of God." No terror has death, or the grave, To those who believe in the Lord-- We know the Redeemer can save, And lean on the faith of his word; While ashes to ashes, and dust We give unto dust, in our gloom, The light of salvation, we trust, Is hung like a lamp in the tomb. The sky will be burnt as a scroll-- The earth, wrapped in flames, will expire; But, freed from all shackles, the soul Will rise in the midst of the fire. Then, brothers, mourn not for the dead, Who rest from their labors, forgiven; Learn this from your Bible instead, The grave is the gateway to heaven. O Lord God Almighty! to Thee We turn as our solace above; The waters may fail from the sea, But not from thy fountains of love: Oh, teach us Thy will to obey, And sing with one heart and accord, "He gave and he taketh away, And praised be the name of the Lord!"