A DREAM by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1882

A DREAM.

By Eliza H. Morton

BY ELIZA H. MORTON.

The day had been a round of taxing toil, Uncheered by sympathy of kindred heart, And marred by clouds of evil that hung o'er All heads, and threatened to obscure the light Of truth. Though many thronged around, yet all Seemed wrapt in self, and cold and distant as The gleaming mountain tops, far, far away; And worn and weary, sick at heart, and sad, I sought my couch to find in sleep a blest Forgetfulness of all life's cares, a glad Relief from sight and sound of that which tends To vex and grieve the soul. I closed my eyes; And music filled the air with thrilling waves Of tender, soul-subduing harmony. A gentle voice whispered within my ear: “Discouraged one, arise and look upon The work of God on earth as seen on high,” And, lo! a shining chain, made up of links Of richest, purest gold, lay on a bed Of snowy lilies, wet with sparkling dew; And then the voice spake once again in tones Of tenderness: “Faint not, O troubled heart! The Master knoweth all thy fears, and bids Thee courage take; his truth will stand, though men May prove untrue, and Satan and his hosts Exult o'er wrong. This chain is symbol of The saints of God, united by the death Of his dear Son, and fitted for the life Immortal, that he gives. These links were tried By fire, and tested oft by many a blow. These lilies represent the hearts of those Who, ’mid the filth and scum of earth, can yet Send down their roots below it all, and rise Above the mire, shedding sweet fragrance all Around.”

The music died away, and I Awoke, resolved to live a nobler life, To shrink away from self and selfish thoughts, To strive to do my work, and do it well, Seeking each day to help some heart to bear Its burden, and to speak a kindly word Of cheer to those in need of help, and thus Forget my loneliness, and longings for Loved friends, and home, and pleasures far away.

Battle Creek, Mich.