1 The vernal flowers their beauties spread,
Delightful to the eye;
But quickly all their hues are fled--
They wither, droop, and die.
2 Emblem of beauteous childhood's bloom,
Emblem of its decay;
Swiftly they leave us for the tomb,
Wither, and pass away.
3 Why should we mourn these fading flowers,
From this low vale removed,
To bloom afresh in angel's bowers,
By them and Christ beloved?
4 Thus sever'd from their parent stem,
Our babes go on before;
That our fond hearts may follow them,
To that immortal shore.
5 There they and we, (when Christ appears,)
All wash'd from sin's foul stain,
Shall flourish through eternal years;
Nor die, nor weep again.
Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #15
Hunter, William, D.D, son of John Hunter, was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland, May 26, 1811. He removed to America in 1817, and entered Madison College in 1830. For some time he edited the Conference Journal, and the Christian Advocate. In 1855 he was appointed Professor of Hebrew in Alleghany College: and subsequently Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Alliance, Stark Country, Ohio. He died in 1877. He edited Minstrel of Zion, 1845; Select Melodies, 1851; and Songs of Devotion, 1859. His hymns, over 125 in all, appeared in these works. Some of these have been translated into various Indian languages. The best known are :—
1. A home in heaven; what a joyful thought. Heaven a Home. From his Minstrel of Zion, 1… Go to person page >
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