Nearer Home

( Originally Published Early 1900's )

ALICE CARY.

ONE sweetly solemn thought,
Comes to me o'er and o'er,—
I'm nearer my home today
Than I've ever been before.

Nearer my Father's house,
Where the many mansions be,—
Nearer the great white throne,
Nearer the jasper sea.

Nearer the bound of life,
Where we lay our burdens down,—
Nearer leaving the cross,
Nearer wearing the crown.

But, lying darkly between,
Winding down through the night,
To the dim and unknown stream,
That leads me at last to the light,

Close, closer my steps
Come to the dark abysm,--
Closer death to my lips
Presses the awful chrysm.

Saviour, perfect my trust,
Strengthen the might of my faith ;
Let me feel as I would when I stand
On the rock of the shore of death,