HOW LONG? by L. D. Santee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 19, 1871

HOW LONG?

By L. D. Santee

Shall the reign of love and glory Never follow earth's sad story? Earth is groaning for redemption, seas are weeping on their shores. Shall the peaceful, flowing river Bear a moan of pain forever, And the tide of sin and woe increase forever evermore?

Oft our friends in weakness languish, And their lips grow white with anguish; And we bow in bitter weeping as we see them pass away. Oh! we sorrow when we lose them, When is hushed the heaving bosom; And our hearts with pain seem breaking as we lay them in the clay.

Darkly brooding is the heaven, E'en as shadows fall at even, But we prostrate fall before thee, and we raise our saddened cry, May our evils be forgiven, O, receive us into Heaven, Be our refuge and salvation, blessed Jesus, or we die.

The years are passing slowly, And thy saints are bowing lowly, And to thee they raise their pleading, Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come. Bleeding feet and eyes of weeping, Past the dear ones calmly sleeping— Heavenly Father, guard thy children, come and take thy ransomed home.

Patience, pilgrim, O, be stronger, Bear thy cross a little longer; Soon you'll rest so sweet and joyful on the loving Saviour's breast. We shall enter joys immortal, When we reach the shining portal, Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.

L. D. SANTEE. Dixon, Mo.