Classic Poem

Nearer ? yes, I'm nearer now
The silent, solemn sea
Which rolls between my weary heart,
Jerusalem! and thee.
I'm nearer to the boatman now:
He soon will shout " Away! "
Oh! to my home beyond the sea
I'm nearer every day.

Some days are dreary, some bring tears,
Some undefined regret;
While on some golden hours, thank God!
Hope's radiance lingers yet.
But whether days be dark or bright,
The moments swift or slow,
Time stops not in his steady flight,
And onward still we go.

On the green hillsides of you shore
Our loved ones calmly wait;
And angel forms to welcome us
Half open heaven's gate.
Oh, rapturous thought! that rest, sweet rest,
Will soon to us be given,
Since every hour the child of God
Is drawing nearer heaven.

O Saviour! as we thus draw near
The throne, the crystal sea,
The holy throng, the heavenly choir,
We're drawing nearer thee , —
Nearer the hour when we, whose feet
The olive slopes ne'er trod
Or shores of far-off Galilee
Where walked the Son of God,

Shall see his face, shall hear his voice,
Shall touch that pierced hand,
And on the brow, thorn-crowned for us,
Shall gaze, and silent stand.
Oh, thought to cheer my weary way,
With welcome radiance come!
Let me remember that each day
I'm drawing nearer home!