1 The day is past and gone,
The evening shades appear.
O may we all remember well
The night of death draws near.
2 We lay our garments by,
Upon our beds to rest;
So death will soon disrobe us all
Of what is here possessed.
3 Lord, keep us safe this night,
Secure from all our fears;
May angels guard us while we sleep,
Till morning light appears.
4 And when we early rise,
And view th'unwearied sun,
May we set out to win the prize,
And after glory run.
5 And when our days are past,
And we from time remove,
O may we in Thy bosom rest,
The bosom of Thy love.
Source: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #38
Leland, John, an American Baptist minister, was born at Grafton, Massachusetts, on May 15th, 1754, and began to preach at the age of 20. From 1776 to 1790 he was in Virginia, and thereafter in Massachusetts, mostly at Cheshire. He died Jan. 14, 1841. His Sermons, Addresses, Essays and Autobiography were published by his niece, Miss L. F. Greene, at Lanesboro, Massachusetts, in 1845. His influence seems to have been equalled by his peculiarities. We hear of his "restless activity and roving disposition"; his "mad devotion to politics," wherein he had much local and temporary weight; his "ready wit and endless eccentricities;" as also of his high character. Of the hymns which have been ascribed to him, some on doubtful authority, the followin… Go to person page >
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