John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

(From “Hymns for Children”)

1 Thess. iv. 13; Rev. xxi. 4.

GOD hath two families of love,

In earth below, and heaven above:

One is in battle, sharp and sore;

And one is happy evermore.

The holy Church on earth must fight

Against the devil and his might;

The Church in heaven with war hath done;

And yet the two are only one.

For they who loved their Saviour here,

And died in God’s true faith and fear,

Have join’d the glorious Church on high,

And reign with it beyond the sky.

We thank Thee, Saviour, for the grace

By which they reach’d that blessèd place;

By which they dwell in endless day,

And sin and sorrow flee away:

In Thee, with all Thy Saints, they rest,

And never more can be distrest;

Oh, teach us so to live, that we

May follow them, as they did Thee;

To think on all their faith and love,

Until Thou callest us above,

To see Thee as Thou art, and bow

Before Thy throne, as they do now.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!