Some Bright Golden Morning

In 1956, my parents (and sister) boarded a ship in New York City. With them were Hu and Betty Addleton (and their son). Five weeks later they landed in Karachi, Pakistan, and thus began a life of service together and deep friendship.

Earlier this week Uncle Hu, as I have called him all my life, went to be with the Lord; his work on earth was completed.

We had the opportunity to watch the live stream of his memorial service in Macon, GA on Saturday afternoon. After that, Gracie chose the following hymns as her way of honoring Hu and offering comfort to her dear friend Betty:

Face to Face With Christ My Savior; We Shall See His Lovely Face; and My Savior First of All.

Lyrics (via hymnary.org):

FACE TO FACE WITH CHRIST MY SAVIOR, by Carrie Ellis Breck
1 Face to face with Christ, my Savior, 
Face to face- what will it be 
When with rapture I behold him, 
Jesus Christ who died for me? 

Refrain: 
Face to face I shall behold him, 
Far beyond the starry sky; 
Face to face in all his glory, 
I shall see him by and by.

2 Only faintly now I see him 
With the darkened veil between, 
But a blessed day is coming 
When his glory shall be seen. [Refrain] 

3 What rejoicing in his presence, 
When are banished grief and pain; 
When the crooked ways are straightened 
And the dark things shall be plain. [Refrain] 

4 Face to face- oh, blissful moment! 
Face to face- to see and know; 
Face to face with my Redeemer, 
Jesus Christ who loves me so. [Refrain]

WE SHALL SEE HIS LOVELY FACE, by Norman J. Clayton
We shall see His lovely face some bright golden morning,
When the clouds have rifted and the shades have flown;
Sorrow will be turned to joy, heartaches gone forever;
No more night, only light, when we see His face.

God shall wipe away all tears some bright golden morning,
When the journey’s ended, and the course is run;
No more crying, pain or death in that home of gladness,
Trials cease, all is peace, when we see His face.

We shall meet to part no more, some bright golden morning,
At the gates of glory where our loved ones stand;
Songs of vict’ry fill the skies in that hour of greeting,
Endless days, endless praise, when we see His face.

MY SAVIOR FIRST OF ALL, by Fanny Crosby
1 When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide, 
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see; 
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, 
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

Chorus:
I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him, 
And redeemed by His side I shall stand; 
I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him  
By the print of the nails in His hand.

2 Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face, 
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye; 
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace
That prepared for me a mansion in the sky. [Chorus] 

3 Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come, 
And our parting at the river I recall; 
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home, 
But I long to meet my Savior first of all. [Chorus] 

4 Thro’ the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white, 
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall; 
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight, 
But I long to meet my Savior first of all. [Chorus]