Library Home Page LCU Home Page

Hymnals of the Stone-Campbell Movement

Enos E. Dowling Hymnal Collection

Hymn: How long shall earth's alluring toys (FL)

Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns

Date: 1818

Compiler: Rice Haggard

Publisher/Printer: John Norvell

First Line: How long shall earth's alluring toys

Topic: <no topic given>

Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>

Composer:

Meter: CM

Tune:

Hymn Number: 314

Page Number: 292, click to see hymnal pages

Lyics

How long shall earth's alluring  toys

Detain our hearts and eyes,

Regardless of immortal joys,

And strangers to the skies?



These transient scenes will soon decay,

They fade upon the sight;

And quickly will their brightest day

Be lost in endless night.



Their brightest day, alas, how vain!

With conscious sighs we own;

While clouds of sorrow, care and pain,

O'ershade the smiling noon



O could our thoughts and wishes fly 

Above these gloomy shades'

To those bright worlds beyond the sky,

Which sorrow ne'er invades.



There joys unseen by mortal eyes,

Or reason's feeble ray,

In ever blooming prospects rise,

Unconscious of decay.



Lord, send a beam of light divine,

To guide our upward aim!

With one reviving touch of thine

Our languid hearts inflame.



Then shall, on faith's sublimest wing,

Our ardent wishes rise,

To those bright scenes where pleasures 

Immortal in the skies.           [spring