Arise and Depart by Bonar

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 2, 1876

Arise and Depart.

By Bonar

Brethren, arise, Let us go hence! Defiled, polluted thus, This is no home for us; Till earth is purified, We may not here abide. We were not born for earth,— The city of our birth, The better paradise, Is far above these skies. Upward then let us soar, Cleaving to dust no more!

Brethren, arise, Let us go hence! Death and the grave are here, The sick-bed and the bier, The children of the tomb May love this kindred gloom; But we, the deathless band, Must see the deathless land. The mortal here may rove, The immortal dwell above. Here we can only die, Let us ascend on high!

Brethren, arise, Let us go hence! This is not our abode; Too far, too far from God! The angels dwell not here; There falls not on the ear The everlasting song From the celestial throng. ’Tis discord here alone, Earth’s melody is gone, Her harp lies broken now; Her praise has ceased to flow!

Brethren, arise, Let us go hence! The New Jerusalem, Like a resplendent gem, Sends down its heavenly light, Attracting our dull sight. I see the bright ones wait At each fair, pearly gate; I hear their voices call; I see the jasper wall, The clear, translucent gold, The glory all untold!

Brethren, arise, Let us go hence! What are earth’s joys and gems? What are its diadems? Our crowns are waiting us Within our Father’s house. Angels above the skies Are bidding us arise; Our Lord, he calls away To scenes of sweeter day Than this sad earth can know. Let us arise and go!

—Bonar.