Our Home Beyond

I cherish my dreams of heaven

Not as something vague and ideal

But that which grows to me daily

More tangible and real

 

And I think of the glorious dawning

Of the everlasting day

And fancy eternities morning

Nor very far away

 

But earthly glory and earthly love

Seem far away and obscure

Or only as shadows thrown from above

Of that which shall endure

 

Only as flitting shadows

Of the glory and love of heaven

Or faint and imperfect pictures

To our earthly longing given

 

Hints of the grand surprises

Preparing for us on high

Sweetly contrived disguises

To hide the reality

 

Visions I have in plenty

As I muse in the twilight alone

Of the joy of the four and twenty

That always surround the throne

 

Of the bliss that swells in the rapturous tones

That utter their praises sweet

As kneeling they cast their starry crowns

At the dear redeemers feet.

 

Something that I fancy I can hear

An echo of heavenly psalms

And catch through the tremulous evening air

A glimpse of the robes and palms

 

Of the river of life and the golden street

On which they mansion stands

And I await for the coming of angel feet

And the guidance of angel hands

 

All my hopes and my dreams of ambition

I reckon as nothing account

If I gain the celestial city

Beyond the delectable mount

 

If only the gates of Jasper

Stand open my coming to greet

And I may behold my Master

And sit as a child at His feet

 

I am ever waiting and eager

For my release to be given

This life has been poor and meager

I long for the riches of heaven

 

Though the days of my waiting be dreary

God know what is best for me

But I often think when weary

How sweet the rest will be.

 

Rest after tedious travel

Rest after labor sore

Rest in the arms of eternal love

Never to tire anymore.