THE DOOM OF SODOM

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 20, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 12.

THE DOOM OF SODOM.

AWAY from the ruin—oh hurry ye on While the sword of the angel yet slumbers undrawn; Away from the doomed and deserted of God; Away, for the Spoiler is rushing abroad!

The warning was spoken, the righteous had gone, And the proud sons of Sodom were feasting alone; All gay was the banquet, the revel was long, With the pouring of wine and the breathing of song.

'Twas an evening of beauty—the air was perfume, The earth was all greenness, the trees were all bloom; And softly the delicate viol was heard, Like the murmur of love or the notes of a bird.

And the shrine of the idol was lifted on high, For the bending of knee and the homage of eye; And the worship was blended with blasphemy's word, And the wine-bibber scoffed at the name of the Lord.

Hark! the growling of thunder—the quaking of earth— Woe, woe to the worship, and woe to the mirth, The black sky has opened—there's flame in the air— The red arm of vengeance is lifted and bare!

And the shriek of the dying rose wild where the song And the low tone of love had been whispered along; For the fierce flames went lightly o'er palace and bower, Like the red tongues of demons to blast and devour!

Down, down on the fallen, the red ruin rained, And the reveler sank with his wine-cup undrained! The feet of the dancer, the music's loved thrill, And the shout of the laughter, grew suddenly still!

The last throb of anguish was fearfully given, The last eye glared forth in its madness on heaven, The last cry of horror rose wildly and vain, And death brooded over the Pride of the Plain!

And so it will be when the Lord comes from Heaven, When the wicked to anguish and darkness are driven. O, list to the warning; prepare for the day; The Saviour is calling thee, turn not away. —Selected.