THE CHRISTIAN HOUSEHOLD.
10,8,10,8,9,8,9,8
|And they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us.| -- Luke 24:29.
|O selig Haus, wo man dich aufgenommen.|
Spitta.
transl., Sarah Findlater, 1858
O happy house! where Thou art loved the best,
Dear Friend and Saviour of our race,
Where never comes such welcomed honored Guest,
Where none can ever fill Thy place;
Where every heart goes forth to meet Thee,
Where every ear attends Thy word,
Where every lip with blessing greets Thee,
Where all are waiting on their Lord.
O happy house! where two are one in heart,
In faith and hope are one,
Whom death can only for a little part,
Not end the union here begun;
Who share together one salvation,
Who would be with Thee, Lord, always,
In gladness or in tribulation,
In happy or in evil days.
O happy house! whose little ones are given
Early to Thee, in faith and prayer --
To Thee, their Friend, who from the hights of heaven
Guards them with more than mother's care.
O happy house! where little voices
Their glad hosannas love to raise,
And childhood's lisping tongue rejoices
To bring new songs of love and praise.
O happy house! and happy servitude!
Where all alike one Master own;
Where daily duty, in Thy strength pursued,
Is never hard nor toilsome known;
Where each one serves Tbee, meek and lowly,
Whatever Thine appointment be,
Till common tasks seem great and holy,
When they are done as unto Thee.
O happy house! where Thou art not forgot
When joy is flowing full and free;
O happy house! where every wound is brought,
Physician, Comforter, to Thee.
Until at last, earth's day's-work ended,
All meet Thee in that home above,
From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended,
Thy heaven of glory and of love!