Nearer the bound of life,
Where we lay our burdens down;
Nearer leaving the cross;
Nearer gaining the crown.
But lying darkly between,
Winding down through the night,
Is the deep and unknown stream,
That leads at last to the light.
Father, perfect my trust!
Strengthen the might of my faith;
Let me feel as I would when I stand
On the rock of the shore of death.
Feel as I would when my feet
Are slipping over the brink;
For it may be, I am nearer home—
Nearer now than I think.
The Orator will then pronounce the Eulogium.
Then follows the following, or some other appropriate Ode:
Ode.—Tune: Old Hundred. L. M.
Once more, O Lord, let grateful praise
From ev'ry heart to Thee ascend;
Thou art the guardian of our days,
Our first, our best and changeless friend.
Hear now our parting hymn of praise,
And bind our hearts in love divine;
Oh, may we walk in wisdom's ways,
And ever feel that we are Thine.