Holding our little lamb asleep,
And like the burden of the sea
Sounded that voice along the deep,
Saying, "Arise, and follow me!"
"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven."
THEY are going — only going-
Jesus called them long ago;
All the wintry time they 're passing
Softly as the falling snow.
When the violets in the spring-time
Catch the azure of the sky,
They are carried out to slumber
Sweetly where the violets lie.
They are going — only going
When with summer earth is dressed,
In their cold hands holding roses
Folded to each silent breast;
When the autumn hangs red banners
Out above the harvest sheaves,
They are going-ever going
Thick and fast, like falling leaves.
All along the mighty ages,
All adown the solemn time,
They have taken up their homeward
March to that serener clime,
Where the watching, waiting angels
Lead them from the shadow dim,
To the brightness of His presence
Who has called them unto him.
They are going — only going
Out of pain and into bliss-
Out of sad and sinful weakness
Into perfect holiness.
Snowy brows
no care shall shade them;
Bright eyes-tears shall never dim;
Rosy lips no time shall fade them;
Jesus called them unto him.
Little hearts forever stainless, -
Little hands as pure as they,
Little feet by angels guided
Never a forbidden way!
They are going-ever going-
Leaving many a lonely spot;
But 't is Jesus who has called them.
Suffer and forbid them not.
"OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." 283
"OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."
O, WHY should children fear,
When sickness dims the eye,
To lie down in the grave,
And innocently die;
Since Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as these shall enter Heaven?
Then weep not, parents dear,
Because we go above;
We leave you here below,
To seek a tenderer love;
For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as WE shall enter Heaven.
Sigh not o'er our pale brows,
Where death has set his seal;
Nor shrink at those chill hands,
That have not power to feel,
For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as WE shall enter Heaven.
Let our young playmates come,
And view the grassy mound,
And plant their early flowers
As if 't were happy ground;
For Jesus Christ his word has given,
That such as THEY shall enter Heaven.
"WHO are they, whose little feet,
Pacing life's dark journey through,
Now have reached that heavenly seat
They had ever kept in view?"
"I from Greenland's frozen land;"
"I from India's sultry plain;
"I from Afric's barren sand;"
"I from islands of the main."
All our earthly journey past,
Every tear and pain gone by,
Here together meet at last,
At the portals of the sky;
Each the welcome "Come!" awaits,
Conquerors o'er death and sin!
Lift your heads, ye golden gates!
And let the little travellers in.
AROUND the throne of God in heaven
Thousands of children stand,-
Children whose sins are all forgiven,
A holy, happy band,-
Singing, Glory, glory!
In flowing robes of spotless white
See every one arrayed,
Dwelling in everlasting light,
And joys that never fade,
Singing, Glory, glory!
Once they were little things like you,
And lived on earth below,
And could not praise, as now they do,
The Lord who loved them so,
Singing, Glory, glory!
What brought them to that world above,
That heaven so bright and fair,
Where all is peace, and joy, and love :
How come these children there,-
Singing, Glory, glory?
On earth they sought the Saviour's grace,
On earth they loved his name;
So now they see his blessed face,
And stand before the Lamb,-
Singing, Glory, glory!
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