Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 105

105.
The rich Man and Lazarus.—Luke, xvi, 19—25.

1 A worlding spent each day
In luxury and state,
While a believer lay
A beggar at his gate.
Think not the Lord's appointment strange,
Death made a great and lasting change.

2 Death brought the saint release
From want, disease, and scorn;
And to the land of peace
His soul, by angels borne,
In Abraham's bosom safely placed,
Enjoys an everlasting feast.

3 The rich man also died,
And in a moment fell
From all his pomp and pride
Into the flames of hell:
The beggar's bliss, from far beheld,
His soul with double anguish fill'd.

4 "O, Abra'm, send," he cries,
(But his request was vain,)
"The beggar from the skies
To mitigate my pain!
One drop of water I entreat,
To sooth my tongue's tormenting heat."

5 Let all who worldly pelf
And worldly spirits have
Observe, each for himself,
The answer Abra'm gave:
"Remember thou wast fill'd with good,
While the poor beggar pined for good.

6 "Neglected at thy door,
With tears he begg'd his bread;
But now he weeps no more—
His griefs and pains are fled:
His joys eternally will flow,
While thine expire in endless woe."

7 Lord, make us truly wise,
To choose thy people's lot,
And earthly joys despise,
Which soon will be forgot:
The greatest evil we can fear,
Is to possess our portion here!