277. How blest were they who walked in love
How blest were they who walked in love
With Christ, while yet He dwelt above!
A righteous band, sustained by grace;
The fathers of the faithful race.
O who can tell as should be told
The praises of those men of old,
Their patient faith, their longing sighs
Of hope uplifted to ttie skies?
Strangers and pilgrims here below,
They deemed the world an empty show;
To purer joys their hearts were given;
The better land they sought was Heaven.
The soul that truly cleaves to God
Still longs to gain that blest abode:
O Christ, forbid our souls to roam,
And fix them on our own true Home.
All praise to God the Father be;
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
Whom with the Spirit we adore
For ever and for evermore.