Now one day’s journey less divides
Me from the world where God resides;
If I have walked by faith, in fear,
A stranger and a pilgrim here:
I’ve one day less my watch to keep,
My foes to fear, my falls to weep:
I’ve one day less to see within,
Conflict, defeat, remorse, and sin.
And, oh! reflect, my fainting soul,
Thou’rt one stage nearer to the goal:
Thou’rt one stage nearer to the shore,
Where thou wilt grieve for sin no more.
If the sweet presence of thy God
To-day has cheered and blest thy road,
Think what must be that glorious place,
Where he will never hide his face.
If thou hast oft been led astray,
And mournfully review’st the day,
Still strive the more that rest to attain,
Where thou wilt never sin again.
If thou hast mourned for friends endeared,
Whose converse once thy journey cheered;
Think that in heaven no cause will sever
The bond which reunites for ever.
Let every gift by God bestowed,
Each kind refreshment on my road;
Let every sorrow, hope, and fear,
Incite my soul to persevere.
And thou my only help and guide,
Than whom I have no help beside;
Whose eye beholds me when I fail,
Whose arm supports when I prevail;
Oh, hear me! grant what I implore;
And if on earth I wake no more,
Think on my last, my dying prayer;
Hear it in heaven, fulfil it there!
Since I on thee alone depend,
Oh, guide me to my journey’s end;
Then bear my soul o’er death’s dark wave,
To realms of joy beyond the grave.