Scripture Verse

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Matthew 25:40

Introduction

portrait
Franz J. Haydn (1732–1809)

Words: John G. Ad­ams, Hymns for Chris­tian De­vo­tion 1846, num­ber 419.

Music: Aus­tria (Hay­dn) ar­ranged by Franz J. Hay­dn, 1797, pos­si­bly from a Cro­a­tian folk me­lo­dy (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
John G. Adams
1810–1887

Lyrics

Heaven is here, where hymns of gladness
Cheer the toilers’ rugged way,
In this world where clouds of sadness
Often change to night our day;
Heaven is here, where misery lightened
Of its heavy load is seen,
Where the face of sorrow brightened,
By the deed of love hath been.

Where the sad, the poor, despairing,
Are uplifted, cheered, and blest,
Where in others’ labors sharing,
We can find our surest rest;
Where we heed the voice of duty,
Tread the path that Je­sus trod;
This is Hea­ven, its peace, its beauty,
Radiant with the love of God.