“Death is the last enemey of all the saints; and when the Christian meets it with sacred courage, he gives that honour to the captain of his salvation, which the saints in glory can never give, and which he himself can never repeat. Dying with faith and fortitude is a noble conclusion of a life of zeal and service. It is the very last duty on earth. When that is done then heaven begins.”

Isaac Watts

Absent from flesh! O blissful thought!
What unknown joys this moment brings!
Freed from the mischiefs sin has brought,
From pains, and fears, and all their springs.

Absent from flesh! illustrious day!
Surprising scene! triumphant stroke
That rends the prison of my clay;
And I can feel my fetters broke.

Absent from flesh! then rise, my soul,
Where feet nor wings could never climb,
Beyond the heavens, where planets roll,
Measuring the cares and joys of time.

I go where God and glory shine,
His presence makes eternal day:
My all that's mortal I resign,
For angels wait and point my way.

Isaac Watts

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians 5:8

One Common Song