Oh! Call It Not Death!

Recently my Great Uncle Kenneth died. I only met him a couple of times as a child because they didn't come down to visit much because they lived so far away. He had a very fascinating life story including working for the government and actually working on the Manhatten Project in WWII. He worked in the secret service so that he couldn't even tell his family what exactly he was doing or how much he was being paid. I recently read some stories about him that various family sent out through an email forum our family has, and he lived a vary interesting life. I would like to dedicate the recitation of these song lyrics that are found in the number 11 Old School Hymnal #380 to him and his family.

Oh! Call It Not Death

Elder J. Harvey Daily

Oh! call it not death, when loved ones depart,
And leave us in gloom and sadness of heart;
Although we have lost them it is gain,
They’ve entered their home with Jesus to reign;
It would not be right to ask their return,
And come back to earth, for their race is run;
They’ve left this old world and now are at rest,
For they are just gone to be with the blest.

Oh! call it not death, but life just begun,
The river is passed, their work here is done,
The spirit set free has reached the blest shore
Where sorrow and pain and sin are no more;
The place our dear Lord has gone to prepare
Is all that the soul could wish over there;
To leave this old world of sadness and strife,
And be with our Lord, yes, this is real life.

Oh! call it not death, but that blessed sleep,
And never again to wake up and weep,
The morning shall come, the body shall rise,
And meet our dear Lord somewhere in the skies;
Then cheer up, dear ones, who sadly do weep,
For happy are they, in Jesus they sleep;
Yes they are now free from sickness and strife,
Then call it not death, but eternal life.