With Christ.
"Having a desire to be dissolved and be with Christ—
a thing by far the better."
To die and be with Christ! far better 'tis
Than all this world of sin and strife can give,
Whose highest boon to those who easiest live
Compares not with one moment of heaven's bliss!
And to earth's suffering ones, whose hearts are torn
With anguish, while their bodies writhe in pain,
What joyous sounds are these: "To die is gain!"
To leave a world where weary souls forlorn
In sinful murmuring wish they ne'er were born.
To be with Christ! O words of solemn power
To hush the heart-cry! let me hold them fast.
If haply I may reach thee, Lord, at last,
And, this strange world with all its sorrows past,
May learn the meaning deep of each sad, suffering hour!