Oft as the Bell, with Solemn Toll

Oft as the bell

with so­lemn toll

Speaks the de­part­ure of a soul;

Let each one ask him­self: Am I

Prepared

should I be called to die?

Only this frail and fleet­ing breath

Preserves me from the jaws of death;

Soon as it fails

at once I’m gone

And plunged in­to a world un­known.

Then

leav­ing all I loved be­low

To God’s tri­bun­al I must go;

Must hear the Judge pro­nounce my fate

And fix my ev­er­last­ing state.

But could I bear to hear Him say

Depart

ac­curs­èd

far away!

With Sa­tan

in the low­est hell

Thou art for ev­er doomed to dwell.

Lord Je­sus! help me now to flee

And seek my hope alone in Thee.

Apply Thy blood

Thy Spir­it give

Subdue my sin

and in me live.

Then

when the sol­emn bell I hear

If saved from guilt

I need not fear;

Nor would the thought dis­tress­ing be

Perhaps it next may toll for me.

Rather

my spir­it would re­joice

And long

and wish

to hear Thy voice;

Glad when it bids me earth re­sign

Secure of Heav’n

if Thou art mine.