Tune:  Abide with me...

O, peaceful autumn now you go to sleep,
your dignity and beauty still you keep,
our old age life comes also to an end,
its fall is not a foe, but just a friend!

A blessed spring does greet you with a smile,
you soon shall live no longer in exile,
though you are here to glorify His name,
you´re in this world a stranger all the same!

Yet up our time is not on this old earth,
though life itself we count as little worth,
except when by His grace we´re exercised
about the sinners we may win for Christ!

So do take courage old and noble friend,
for you in Christ will have a happy-end,
before you know it you will be up there
some bright new morning with a cloudless air! (2 Sam. 23:4)

Despite your autumn still your soul is young,
praise our Savior with your feeble tongue,
He whispers to you, "Let me hear your voice", (S. of S. 2:14)
He loves to hear it, so rejoice, rejoice!

Oct. 15, 2019 - jn