1 Are we bowed today in sorrow as we see a vacant chair?
See a place that no one else on earth can fill?
Do we miss them at the fireside, those who used to gather there?
They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill.
Refrain:
On the hillside, like a bird within its nest,
On the hillside, Oh, how sweetly now they rest;
Let us grieve not for the dear ones, for the friends we loved the best,
They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill.
2 Once they faced life’s stormy tempest, once they had their share of woe,
Now they know just what is meant by “Peace, be still;”
Far removed from strife of battle, safe from stormy winds that blow,
They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill. [Refrain]
3 Let us try to do our duty till the closing of the day;
Let us strive each hour to do God’s holy will;
For ‘twill be but little longer till our friends of us shall say,
“They are sleeping in God’s acre on the hill.” [Refrain]
4 Soon the journey will be ended and the work for God be done;
Let us worthily his purpose now fulfill,
That our light may still be shining when the course of life is run,
And we’re sleeping in God’s acre on the hill. [Refrain]
Source: Songs of Grace and Glory: A New and Inspiring Selection of Sacred Songs for Evangelical Use and General Worship #138
Johnson Oatman, Jr., son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born near Medford, N. J., April 21, 1856. His father was an excellent singer, and it always delighted the son to sit by his side and hear him sing the songs of the church.
Outside of the usual time spent in the public schools, Mr. Oatman received his education at Herbert's Academy, Princetown, N. J., and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, Bordentown, N. J. At the age of nineteen he joined the M.E. Church, and a few years later he was granted a license to preach the Gospel, and still later he was regularly ordained by Bishop Merrill. However, Mr. Oatman only serves as a local preacher.
For many years he was engaged with his father in the mercantile business at Lumberton… Go to person page >
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