Closed mine eyes to this world's sorrow
To its vanity and sin,
Put to sleep by Thee, Lord Jesus,
Who hast spoken peace within.
Now I leave this vale of weeping
For a brighter, fairer scene;
Absent from my earthly temple-
Sweeter far to be with Him.

Lo, mine eyes behold with wonder
Many mansions, courts of light,
As I enter with my Saviour
In that home of pure delight.
Came He from that radiant glory
To a world of sin and woe?
Now all these depths of love to me,
Are mine, blessed Lord, to know!

I had often heard the story
(As I waited, Lord, below)
Of the joy, the love, the glory
Which on me Thou didst bestow.
O my soul-so slow believing-
Hadst thou but looked up to see-
I the prize of His own bosom,
He and all He has for me!

As I enter Thy fair mansions,
I behold how love divine
Emptied all its own vast treasure
That Thy love might all be mine:
Naught but Thy great depths of sorrow
Could avail to bring me here:
Oh the depths Thou hast descended
Thus my sins and grief to bear!

Cross of shame and Cross of sorrow,
How thy glory fills the scene!
Tree of Life, Thou art sustaining
Pilgrims who are welcomed in,
'Neath Thy shade their rest now finding;
Desert past, and trials done,
Of Thy fruit my soul partaking,
Heaven's delights for me begun.
Smitten Rock, Thy cooling waters
Quenched my thirst while yet below,-
"Tis a river ever flowing
To the sinner in his woe.
Nevermore I'll thirst beside Thee;
Life that knoweth in Thy stream
Cometh from the Throne, where sitteth
God, and Christ the Lamb, supreme.

The golden harp to me given,
Wakens song that will not cease,
To the Lamb whose blood most precious
Ransomed me, and brought me peace.
Nearest circle to my Saviour-
He who makes the Father known-
Nearest place I'm brought to praise Him
While eternity rolls on.

Golden crown to cast before Him,
Golden street to walk for aye,
Never night to dim the glory,
No more curse to blight my day!
Holy joy and bliss overflowing

Ever will my portion be
With the One whose love endureth
Through a blest eternity.

W. H.