ETERNITY
(Translation of a German Hymn composed by Wulfer)
1. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
Yet onward still to thee we speed
As to the fight the impatient steed,
As ship to port, or shaft from bow,
Or swift as couriers homeward go.
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
2. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
A ring whose orbit still extends,
And ne’er beginning, never ends;
“Always” thy centre,—ring immense,—
And “never” thy circumference.
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
3. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
Came there a bird each thousandth year
One sand-grain from the hills to bear;
When all had vanished, grain by grain,
Eternity would still remain.
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
4. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
As long as God shall God remain,
So long shall last hell’s torturing pain,
So long the joys of Heaven shall be;
O long delights! Long misery!
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
5. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
O man, let oft thy musings dwell
Upon the dreadful woes of hell,
Oft on the saints’ all glorious lot;
For both shall last when time is not.
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
6. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
The thought of thee, in pain, how dread;
In joy, how bright thy prospects spread;
For here God’s goodness glads our eyes,
And there His justice terrifies.
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
7. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
Who here lived poor and sore distrest,
Now truly rich, with Jesus rest;
With joys consoled for all his ill,
He lives to praise God’s goodness still!
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
8. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
A moment’s pleasure sinners know,
Through which they pass to endless woe;
A moment’s woe the righteous taste,
Through which to endless joy they haste!
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
9. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
Who thinks of thee speaks thus to God:
“Here prove me with Thy chast’ning rod;
O let me here Thy judgments bear;
Hereafter, Lord, in mercy spare!”
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
10. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
Who thinks of thee alone is wise;
Sins, pleasures, all, he can despise;
The world attracts him now no more,
His love for vain delights is o’er.
Mark well, O man. Eternity!
11. Eternity! Eternity!
How long thou art. Eternity!
O man! I warn thee,—think on me,—
Think oft on me. Eternity!
For I, the sinner’s woe shall prove,
And recompense of godly love!
Mark well, O man. Eternity!