James Fea and Jean Cooper / James Fea and Margaret Sinclair / Barbara Fea and Josiah Shurie / Obituary

Asleep in Jesus

The words at the beginning of the obituary of Barbara Fea are from a hymn titled ASLEEP IN JESUS

Asleep in Jesus! Blessed sleep, From which none ever wakes to weep; A calm and undisturbed repose, Unbroken by the last of foes. Asleep in Jesus! Oh, how sweet, To be for such a slumber meet, With holy confidence to sing That death has lost his venomed sting! Asleep in Jesus! Peaceful rest, Whose waking is supremely blessed; No fear, no woe, shall dim that hour That manifests the Savior's power. Asleep in Jesus! Oh, for me May such a blessed refuge be! Securely shall my ashes lie And wait the summons from on high. Asleep in Jesus! Far from thee Thy kindred and their graves may be; But there is still a blessed sleep, From which none ever wakes to weep.

The words are by Margaret Mackay of Hedgefield. "Sleeping in Jesus" is a simple but expressive sentence inscribed on a tombstone in a rural burial ground in Devonshire.

"Sleeping in Jesus" by Mrs. Mackay of Hedgefield. This simple but expressive sentence is inscribed on a tombstone in a rural burying ground in Devonshire, and gave rise to the following verses. The words appeared in The Amethyst; or Christian's Annual, 1832.

In reprinting the hymn in her Thoughts Redeemed, 1854, Mrs Mackay said the burying ground meant was that of Pennycross Chapel. She adds:

"Distant only a few miles from a bustling and crowded seaport town, reached through a succession of those lovely green lanes for which Devonshire is so remarkable, the quiet aspect of Pennycross comes soothingly over the mind. "Sleeping in Jesus" seems in keeping with all around."

See The Cyber Hymnal for further information and a midi file

Above details from The Cyber Hymnal