The Christian Soldier

O glorious hope of perfect love,

It lifts me up to things above;

It bears on eagles wings,

It gives my ravish'd soul a taste;

And makes me for some moments feast

With Jesus, priests and kings.

The things eternal I pursue,

A happiness beyond the view,

Of those that barely pant

For things by nature felt and seen,

Their honor, wealth, and pleasures mean,

I neither have nor want.

Nothing on earth I call my own,

A stranger, to the world unknown;

I all their goods despise;

I trample on their whole delight,

And seek a country out of sight;

A country in the skies:

Then is my house and portion fair,

My treasure and my heart are there;

And my abiding home;

For me my elder brethren stay,

And angels beckon me away,

And Jesus bids me come.

I come, thy servant, Lord, replies,

I come to meet thee in the skies,

And claim my heav'nly rest;

Now let the pilgrim's journey end,

Now O my Savior, brother, friend,

Receive me to thy breast.