Adventist Pioneer Library

Worship — Opening Hymns

How sweet to leave the world awhile

  • No. 5
  • Words Thomas Kelly.
  • 3 stanzas
  • Words only in the original

Words

⤢ Full screen
1

How sweet to leave the world awhile,
And seek the presence of our Lord!
Dear Saviour, on thy people smile,
And come according to thy word.

2

From busy scenes we now retreat,
That we may here converse with thee:
Dear Lord, behold us at thy feet!
Let this the gate of heaven be.

3

Chief of ten thousand, now appear,
That we by faith may see thy face;
O speak, that we thy voice may hear!
And let thy presence fill this place.

About this hymn

As printed Text-only hymn (top of the right column). Header as printed: the number «5» and the cross-reference line «316, 104, 23.» (= sing to the tune of hymn 316, 104 or 23). Lines 2 and 4 of each stanza are indented in the print. The period's space before «!», «:» and «;» is kept as printed. Ends with «Thomas Kelly.» in italics.

Source
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book (Battle Creek: Review & Herald, 1886/1888)
Where
Worship — Opening Hymns · No. 5 · printed page 8
Checked
lyrics verified · 2026-09-25