Author: Steele Hymnal: A Collection of Evangelical Hymns #CXCI (1793) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Hymnal Title: A Collection of Evangelical Hymns First Line: How long shall earth's alluring toys Lyrics: 1 How long shall earth's alluring toys
Detain our hearts and eyes,
Regardless of immortal joys,
And strangers to the skies?
2 These transient scenes will soon decay,
They fade upon the sight;
And quickly will their brightest day
Be lost in endless night.
3 Their brightest day, alas! how vain!
With conscious sighs we own;
While clouds of sorrow, care, and pain,
O'er shade the smiling noon.
4 O could our thoughts and wishes fly
Above these gloomy shades,
To those bright worlds beyond the sky,
Which sorrow ne'er invades.
5 There joys unseen by mortal eyes,
Or reason's feeble ray,
In ever blooming prospects rise,
Unconscious of decay.
6 Lord, send a beam of light divine,
To guide our upward aim!
With one reviving touch of thine
Our languid hearts inflame.
7 Then shall, on faith's sublimest wing,
Our ardent wishes rise
To those bright scenes, where pleasures spring
Immortal in the skies.
Topics: Time and Eternity Languages: English
Time and Eternity