The spirits of the just,

The spirits of the just,
Confined in bodies, groan,
Till death consigns the corpse to dust,
And then the conflict's done.

Jesus, who came to save,
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Perfumed the chambers of the grave,
And made e'en death our gain.

Why fear we, then, to trust
The place where Jesus lay?
In quiet rests our brother's dust,
And thus it seems to say:

"Forbear, my friends, to weep,
Since death has lost its sting;
Those Christians that in Jesus sleep,
Our God will with him bring."

This message, then, receive,
And grief indulge no more;
Return to pray awhile; believe,
And wait the welcome hour.