HYMN FOR THE FUNERAL OF A CHILD.
Reading edition
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BY JAMES ALDRICH.
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Lift up our suffering hearts, O Lord!
Let grief our souls no longer bow,
Here, in this house of death, afford
Sense of thy grateful presence now.
Thou griev’st us with no ill intent,
Though missed and mourned our child must be;
This deep affliction thou hast sent
Shall closer bind our hearts to thee.
Sweet words of comfort! we have read,
Till hope sublimest faith became,
What Jesus in Judea said,
When children for his blessing came.
Yet, lost and loved! through coming years
How many sighs must uttered be,
How many silent thoughts and tears,
Our hearts will consecrate to thee.
In the cold grave, without a stain,
We place thy little form to-day,
But hope to meet thee once again,
When the long night shall pass away.
Most holy, merciful, and just!
Be our complaining hearts forgiven;
To Thee we yield our darling trust,
Receive his gentle soul in heaven.