10,8,10,8,9,8,9,8

"And they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us." -- Luke 24:29.

"O selig Haus, wo man dich aufgenommen."

[61]Spitta.

transl., Sarah Findlater, 1858

O happy house! where Thou art loved the best,

Dear Friend and Saviour of our race,

Where never comes such welcomed honored Guest,

Where none can ever fill Thy place;

Where every heart goes forth to meet Thee,

Where every ear attends Thy word,

Where every lip with blessing greets Thee,

Where all are waiting on their Lord.

O happy house! where two are one in heart,

In faith and hope are one,

Whom death can only for a little part,

Not end the union here begun;

Who share together one salvation,

Who would be with Thee, Lord, always,

In gladness or in tribulation,

In happy or in evil days.

O happy house! whose little ones are given

Early to Thee, in faith and prayer --

To Thee, their Friend, who from the hights of heaven

Guards them with more than mother's care.

O happy house! where little voices

Their glad hosannas love to raise,

And childhood's lisping tongue rejoices

To bring new songs of love and praise.

O happy house! and happy servitude!

Where all alike one Master own;

Where daily duty, in Thy strength pursued,

Is never hard nor toilsome known;

Where each one serves Tbee, meek and lowly,

Whatever Thine appointment be,

Till common tasks seem great and holy,

When they are done as unto Thee.

O happy house! where Thou art not forgot

When joy is flowing full and free;

O happy house! where every wound is brought,

Physician, Comforter, to Thee.

Until at last, earth's day's-work ended,

All meet Thee in that home above,

From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended,

Thy heaven of glory and of love!