THE evening shades steal gently on,
I fain would rest;
Let earthly care this day be gone—
Divinely blest.
Brightest and best of all the seven
Is this, the day my God has given;
'Tis as it were a type of heaven—
The Sabbath.
Welcome, thou peaceful, sacred day,
Welcome to thee!
My thoughts I'd lift to God, and pray
Unceasingly.
That it may be my chief delight,
Ever with all my mind and might
T' improve the hours, and keep aright
The Sabbath.
Thou art a time of smiling peace,
To hearts now sad;
Pointing unto the great release,
When all are glad.
Hope like a bright star cheers the soul,
While hastening onward to the goal—
Then find when time shall cease to roll,
The Sabbath.
Thou blissful period of repose,
To travelers worn;
A balm to heal the many woes
Of those that mourn.
Now strength it gives us while we may
Journey along o'er life's rough way,
We'll reverence, while on earth we stay,
The Sabbath.
This truth like holy fire it burns—
'Twill ne'er decline:
It came from heaven—to heaven returns,
God's hallow'd time!
And though for ages it has lain
Buried beneath traditions vain,
Its light is shining bright again,
The Sabbath.
Gem of the week, the best of all
Created days.
'Twas made for man before the fall—
Give God the praise!
And upward lift your longing eyes
To greet His coming from the skies:
When all will keep in Paradise,
The Sabbath.
Then lift your heads, the time is near,
Ye pilgrims lone;
When Jesus will for you appear—
Then think of Home!
Think of the hours that ne'er will end,
And fervent let each prayer ascend,
That we may all in glory spend,
The Sabbath.
There shall we all each other meet
In peace together;
There brother shall his brother greet,
And naught will sever.
Sorrow will never dim the eye,
No clouds ere hide the heavenly sky;
Sweet then will be the rest on high,
The Sabbath.