The Hour-Glass - John Quincy Adams

The Hour-Glass – John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, wrote this hymn for the 200th anniversary of the First Congregational Church in Quincy, Massachusetts, September 29th, 1839. Well would we do it take note of the passage of time, and be instructed in the way of righteousness! We pray that 2022 brings fresh opportunities to serve the Lord Jesus. May He be glorified in all we say and do.

 
Alas! how swift the moments fly!
How flash the years along!
Scarce here, yet gone already by,
The burden of a song.
See childhood, youth, and manhood pass,
And age, with furrowed brow;
Time was – time shall be – drain the glass –
But where in time is now?
 
Time is the measure but of change;
No present hour is found;
The past, the future, fill the range
Of time’s unceasing round.
Where, then, is now? In realms above,
With God’s atoning Lamb,
In regions of eternal love,
Where sits enthroned I AM.
 
Then, pilgrim, let thy joys and tears
On time no longer lean;
But henceforth all thy hopes and fears
From earth’s affections wean:
To God let votive accents rise;
With truth, with virtue, live;
So all the bliss that time denies
Eternity shall give.

 

 Melody Publications' focus is to reawaken the melody of truth in believers' hearts and minds at home and abroad. Our prayer is that our work would aid churches and families as they sing "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs" in praise and worship to our God.

 

All rights reserved. Without the express written permission of the publisher, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted, whether in whole or in part, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, storage retrieval system, recording, or any other.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.