Classic Poem

(Tune, " What a Friend we have in Jesus. " )

Sweet and calm the breezes stealing
O'er the quiet Sabbath day;
Loud and long the church bells pealing,
Haste to worship, haste away.
List their notes of music swelling,
Hark, what tones of melody!
Man's redemption they are telling;
Haste to worship, haste away.

Now the six days' labor ended —
Temporal duties laid aside,
With our hearts and voices blended,
In his courts to-day abide.
Since the holy law was broken
From his fold, we've gone astray,
But the pardoning word was spoken;
Erring one retrace thy way.

With the Father interceding
For a sin-accursed race,
Hands and feet and side all pleading,
Jesus saves us by his grace.
Sinners list the bells are ringing,
'Tis the gospel's precious sound;
Infant tongues his praises singing,
Come, and in his courts be found.

In his promise trusting, never,
Backward cast thy longing eyes;
Upward, onward pressing ever,
Till the final morn arise.

List, the bells are loudly calling,
Will you heed the call to-day?
On whose ear the sound is falling,
Haste to worship, haste away.