THE HEAVENLY COUNTRY by M. J. COTTRELL

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1866

THE HEAVENLY COUNTRY.

By M. J. COTTRELL

They tell us of a country where sorrow ne’er can come; Where flowers of fairest beauty eternally will bloom; They say no chill of winter can blight beneath that sky, No briny tears of sadness there dim the laughing eye.

They tell us that our loved ones, whom death has borne away, Will greet us in that country; for death has there no sway. They say sad words of parting will never there be given, And silken ties of friendship by cold words ne’er be riven.

The music of that country they say is full and clear, Harmonious, soul-enrapturing,—no discord pains the ear,— And all will join the singing, no harp will silent be, And from every note of anguish that choir is ever free.

And frowns, they say will never in that bright land have place, How sweet to think that smiles, instead, will beam on every face. Yes, they tell us peace, and purity, and love with gentle mein, Shall in that beauteous country forever hold their reign.

There dread disease can never steal the bloom of health away, Nor age, with stealthy, creeping hand, change sunny hair to gray. Oh, can it be that this is true? Is it not fiction’s tale? Is there indeed a land like this? Will not the promise fail?

Nay, trembling one, a voice responds, the promise stands secure, ’Twas made by the all-powerful ONE, whose word is ever sure. But no one can that land obtain, unless first purified From every stain of this sad world, of folly, lust, and pride.

And fast the moments glide away, and soon will all be gone; And none but those who watch and pray, will have their work well done. There is a wily, treacherous one, who knows he cannot share That Heavenly home, and he would fain drag others to despair.

He’ll place around us, tinsel gay, before us, flattery’s smile, A glittering crown of fame hold up, that he may thus beguile; And if in this his project fails, he’ll try some other art, He struggles hard before he yields, and well he knows his part.

But you and I can overcome this wily, dangerous foe, If we but put our trust in God, and forth to battle go; And when the victory we have gained o’er sin, and self as well, Then we will to that country go, forever there to dwell.

M. J. COTTRELL.

Rochester, N. Y.