free-verse56 lines
Ring The Bells
by Nancy Rebecca Campbell GlassRing out the bells of heaven!
Obey the great command,
That all may hear their melody
On mountain, sea, and land,
The chimes of glory sounding,
Ascending to the sky;
Jesus our Savior reigneth
Forever more on high.
Ring how he bore our trials
And sorrows here below;
Of his lamb-like, sinless nature,
Purer than falling snow;
How he gave his life to banish
The clouds of midnight gloom
That brooded o'er creation
And o'er the dreary tomb.
Ring of the well of Sichar
And the everlasting tide,
With which its sparkling waters
His imagery supplied.
Ring of his mighty power
To comfort and to heal,
His gentleness and sympathy
In either woe or weal.
Ring of his blood that speaketh
Than Abel's, better things,
And to the guilty conscience
Sweet peace and pardon brings.
Ring how he burst death's fetters
In rising from the grave,
And from its lasting bondage
Will all his people save.
Ring how he intercedeth
And ever lives above
For all who trust and serve him,
Rejoicing in his love;
Of the many mansions he's prepared
Of everlasting rest,
Whose joys no tongue can utter
Nor tell how glad and blest.
Awake, then, to your duty,
O church of Christ, awake!
Behold the beauty of their feet
Who the glad tidings take!
Reach out and ring the bells of heaven;
Blest be the hands that give
The truth, that all who listen
May hope and joy and live!
Ah, 'tis a wondrous story!
Good news to all the world!
The gospel means glad tidings
Wherever 'tis unfurled.
Great God, impart thy Spirit
That all who love their Lord
May see in life a flitting hour
To obey and speak his word.