p. 62 | For or Against by M. J. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1866

For or Against.

By M. J. Cottrell

A NEW year with pages unsullied and bright, Has opened before us, and here all must write, Must write here a record to stand through all time, A dark blotted record, or one that will shine.

We shall not write this record with pen and with ink, But with deeds that we do, and thoughts that we think, The word, if a pure one, comes forth from pure thought, And 'tis thus with the deed if good it has wrought.

Each day is a page,—oh how pure, and how fair!— On which we must write, oh let's write it with care, For the record must stand and in future must tell, If this year to us given, was ill used, or well.

It also must tell, either for or against, Our right to the white robes prepared for the saints, The bright jeweled crown, and the city of gold, The harp, and the palm, which the victors shall hold.

Either for or against our right to that stream, Whose water is life,—not life like a dream Fading and fleeting,—but life that's undying, Life that knows nothing of sinning, or sighing.

Either for or against our right to that land, Where all is bright beauty, and glory most grand, Where flowers ne'er fade, for they bloom by the side Of the bright flowing stream with its life-giving tide.

Either for or against, our right to behold The King in his beauty—oh beauty untold— To gaze on that brow once crowned with the thorn, That brow which for us was once bleeding and torn.

Either for or against, I would grave those words deep On my heart's inmost tablet; their import to keep; And to Heaven, I'd seek for wisdom and grace, That the record which I, on these pages shall trace,

May be such as shall tell for my right to behold The King in his beauty, with scepter of gold; To join in the song the immortal will sing; To praise in bright glory, our Saviour and King. M. J. COTTRELL.