The Close of Life

Whene’er this breath of life departs And mortals find a grave, The dust alone to earth returns, The soul to God who gave!

Just as the eaglet leaves its shell To seek its native sky, The spirit quits its flesh to gain A spirit-world on high.

The sanctified, the good and true, The pure in heart ascend, To dwell before the eternal throne In joys that know no end.

The resurrection and the life, Redeeming God, art Thou; Oh raise our souls to love divine, And holy life bestow;

That when our time of trial ends, In triumph we may soar, To join the glorious angel bands Rejoicing evermore.