Higher Ground by A. E. Axtell

Review and Herald Publishing Assn. · Washington, D.C. · Dec 31, 1903

Higher Ground

By A. E. Axtell

A. E. AXTELL

“O Zion, . . . get thee up into the high mountain.” Isa. 40:9.

“Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain.” Gen. 19:17; Isa. 40:28-31.

THE God of Israel lift thee up To higher ground, to holier thinking, Where thou wilt live, and not unite Earth’s baser joys, its ways and means, To heaven’s livery.

For he hath said, “Come higher up;” Leave the low plains where now there dwells Earth’s miasms, its pride and folly, Doomed to Sodom’s dreadful fires, Nor be content with middle heights; For, hidden there with hellish art, Is Satan’s snare of satisfied. That word’s the same to-day as when Of old ’twas said, “Let there be light;” If first there be a willing mind, An entering in of heaven’s thoughts, To reach the heights before unknown, Shall easy be; For “underneath are arms of might” To “bear thee up, lest ’gainst the stone Thou dash thy foot.”

Be not dismayed by dizzy heights Nor paths, though treacherous they may seem. He leadeth thee to heaven’s gate; The way’s well known to him: We need not fear to trust, he doeth All things well. He fainteth not, nor Weary is. To them that have no might He magnifieth strength. To them that wait on him is given To mount on eagle’s wings; to run, Nor weary be; to walk, and falter not, To heaven’s plain, and victor’s crown, To high and holy living.