A LETTER IN RHYME by Richard Town

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1867

A LETTER IN RHYME.

By Richard Town

SCATTERED PILGRIMS, God will lead you Through the trials in your way; Through this night of gloom and darkness, To a bright and endless day. Though the anger of the nations, Here may weigh your spirits down, God will lead through tribulations Those who soon will wear a crown.

Here your joys are mixed with sorrow, Here you suffer toil and pain; But a time of peace awaits you, When the Prince of peace shall reign. No more wars of desolation, No more will the cannons roar; Swords and spears will all be banished From that bright, immortal shore.

Cheer up pilgrims, trust in Jesus; He has suffered in our stead. He's our life and resurrection, He will bring us from the dead. Hail with joy the passing tokens, Which proclaim the Saviour nigh; Then will end all earthly trouble, When we live no more to die.

You may part with wife and children, You may leave your friends and home, Tender ties may all be broken— Pray in faith, Thy kingdom come. Come Lord Jesus, O come quickly, Claim the kingdoms for thine own; Break the rod of vile oppression, Take thy ransomed people home.

May God bless you, weeping pilgrims, May your hope be firm and strong; Sure the vision will not tarry, Though it seem to tarry long. May you here, though tried and tempted, Walk by faith and not by sight; Soon will end this earthly conflict, Soon will dawn the morning's light.

Wayworn pilgrims, don't get weary, Though the way may dark appear; Now lift up your heads, rejoicing, For your blessed Lord is near. You have passed the signs and landmarks, In the desert, on your way; Soon you'll see the glorious morning Of a never-ending day.

Youthful pilgrims, be admonished In the slippery paths of youth; Don't, for all the world can give you, Turn your back upon the truth. All earth's gold and gilded treasures Soon will crumble and decay; Then take courage, youthful pilgrims, Don't forget to watch and pray.

Young and old, how do you prosper? Are you striving for the prize? Are you laying up a treasure Where true pleasure never dies? Have you learned that gold will perish, And all earthly things are dross? Have you learned a self-denial? Have you learned to bear the cross?

One and all, prepare to meet us, Pilgrims in the paths of old. We are traveling to a city, Where the streets are paved with gold. There the tree of life will flourish, Every month her fruit will yield, And her leaves will heal the nations Which at last are saved and sealed.

Oh! the rapturous thought! how glorious! Nothing there to mar our peace. No unholy thing can enter, Worldly strife and battles cease. All is pure, serene and holy, God himself will be our light; There we all shall reign forever, In a world that knows no night.

RICHARD TOWN. Franklin Co., N. Y.