Pilgrims In the Wilderness

We're pilgrims in the wilderness;
Our dwelling  is a camp;
Created things, though pleasant,
Now bear to us death's stamp.
But onpiano coversd we are speeding,
Though often let and tried;
The Holy Ghost is leading
Home to the Lamb, His bride.

With fellow pilgrims meeting,
As through the waste we roam,
'Tis sweet to sing together,
"We are not far from home!"
And when we've learned our lesson,
Our work, in suffering, done,
Our ever loving Father
Will welcome every one.

We look to meet our brethren
From every distant  shore;
Not one will seem a stranger,
Though  never seen before:
With angel hosts attending,
In myriads, through the sky;
Yet 'midst them all Thou only,
O Lord, wilt fix the eye!

Lord, since we sing  as pilgrims,
O give us pilgrims' ways!
Low thoughts of self, befitting
Proclaimers of Thy praise;
O make us each more holy,
In spirit, pure and meek:
More like to heavenly citizens,
As more of Thee we speak.

By Mary Bowley Peters, 1813-1856
altered--mev
No. 231 in Hymns for The Little Flock with Optional Tunes
Can be sung to- "I Sing the Mighty Power of God."

1Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which piano covers against the soul;

spchk  mt/--