A LAND OF GOLD by Thirza M. Foster

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 7, 1868

A LAND OF GOLD.

By Thirza M. Foster

We often hear of a land far away Where gold is found in the ore, And men risk their lives, and barter their health, To go to that far-famed shore. They leave quiet homes, and loved ones there, And cross the great desert plain, They sail in ships on the perilous deep, That they this gold may obtain.

For days, months, and years, they dig in the mines, Or else on some river's strand; They work to gather the glittering dust And wash it out from the sand. The gold they procure may bring them a name, And place them among the high; But it cannot save their souls from the grave, For the rich and the poor must die.

Mortality marks every object here, There's nought can escape its sway; And the wealth of earth must come to an end, And pass forever away. Then why should we roam, to gather the gold, Which soon will pass from our sight, And leave us, alas! without God or a hope, To sink in an endless night!

There is a bright shore, an immortal land Beyond the changes of time, And gold refined, and honor and wealth, Abound in that heavenly clime. The city of gold is glittering there, In beauty and grandeur drest; And there is a home for all who will come; A place for the weary to rest.

Its King now invites the poor to his realm, The wealth of the place to share; Then the burdens of earth, I will lay them down, And seek my inheritance there. His messengers now are sounding the call, I hear and I'll not delay; But I'll go and join with the pilgrim band, And haste to be on my way.

The King has provided a compass and chart, To pilot all those who will go. To gather with these, the armor of truth, To shield them from every foe. Thus safely equip'd we'll journey along, Though perils and dangers arise, And soon the King in his beauty we'll see, And reign with him in the skies.

THIRZA M. FOSTER.

Vienna, Wis.