By the Sea by Sel.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 18, 1873

BY THE SEA.

By Sel.

Backward and forward, under the moon, Swing the tide, on its old-time way, Never too late, and never too soon: And evening and morning make the day.

Backward and forward, over the sands, And over the rocks to fall and flow; And this wave has touched a dead man's hands, And that one has seen a face we know.

They have sped the good ship on her way, Or buried her deep from love and light; But here, as they sink at our feet to-day, Ah, who shall distinguish their voices aright?

For their separate burdens of hope and fear Are blended now in one solemn tone; And only this song of the waves I hear, “Forever and ever His will be done.”

Backward and forward, to and fro, Swing our life on its weary way, Now at its ebb, and now at its flow: And evening and morning make the day.

Sorrow and comfort, peace and strife, Pain and rejoicing, its moments know; How, from the discords of such a life, Shall the clear music upward flow?

Yet to the ear of God it swells, And to the angels round the throne, Sweeter than chime of vesper bells, “Forever and ever His will be done.” —Sel.