The Christians Duty, exhibited, in a series of Hymns ‎#CX

CX. How meanly dwells the immortal mind

1 How meanly dwells th' immortal Mind!
How vile these Bodies are!
Why was a Clod of Earth, design'd
T' enclose a heav'nly Star?

2 Weak Cottage where our Souls reside,
This Flesh a tott'ring Wall:
The frightfull Breaches gaping wide,
The Buildings bends to fall.

3 All round it Storms of Sorrow blow,
And Waves of Trouble roll;
Cold Waves, and Winter Storms, beat through,
And Pain the Tenant Soul.

4 "Alas, how frail our State!" said I,
And thus went mourning on,
Till sudden from the cleaving Sky
A Gleam of Glory shone.

5 My Soul all felt the Glory come,
And breath'd her native Air;
Then she remember'd Heav'n her Home,
And she a Pris'ner here.

6 Straight she began to change her Key,
And joyful in her Chains,
She sung the Frailty of her Clay
In pleasurable Strains.

7 "How weak the Pris'n is where I dwell!
"This Flesh a tott'ring Wall!
"The Breaches chearfully foretell,
"The House must shortly fall.

8 "No more my Friends, shall I complain,
"Tho' all my Heart Strings ake,
"Welcome Disease, and ev'ry Pain,
That makes the Cottage shake.

9 "I have a Mansion built above,
"By the eternal Hand
And should the Earth's old Basis move
"My Heav'nly House must stand.

10 "Yes for 'tis there my Saviour Reigns;
"(I long to see my God)
"And his immortal Strength sustains
"The Purchase of his Blood.

11 "Hark, from on High my Saviour call
"I come, my Lord, my Love;
"Devotion breaks the Prison Walls,
"And speeds my last Remove."

Text Information

• First Line: How meanly dwells the immortal mind
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1791
• Topic: Faith and Obedience

Tune Information

(No tune information)