HEPHZIBAH by D. H. Lamson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1901

HEPHZIBAH

By D. H. Lamson

THE LATE D. H. LAMSON.

(Republished by request.)

Ah, thou glorious land of promise and of song: Each day my thoughts of thee Bring gladness to my heart; And oh, I wish to be Where thy pure joys shall quickly into being start; The “little while” I wait seems long — so very long.

I have heard somewhere in ancient fabled story, Of brighter skies than these Which now my path surround; E’en this my sense doth please; Yet well I know ’tis but an empty, joyless sound. And ends far short of thine own promised glory.

The real would I know of all my soul’s desiring; Naught less than this can quell The flame of passion glowing, Nor break the rapturing spell; For like the river, deep, e’er onward flowing, And restless as the sea, is my soul’s inquiring.

Thy fields are ever green, and know of no decay; Thy mountains tow’ring high; Thy plains with beauty decked, Entrancing every eye; Thy vales, with seeming conscious pleasure flecked; And all thy darkest night is one rejoicing day.

Ah, land! Hephzibah! married land! no sorrow Shall bring thine eyes to tears; Thou art a glorious bride; Thy God’s eternal years Shall ever o’er thee watch, that there no woe betide; And ne’er shall come to thee a dark and sad to-morrow.

O “Crown of Glory!” No ruthless hand can sever Thy Bridegroom, love, from thee; No sigh is heard, no pain; In that land soon to be, No aching, throbbing heart will e’er be felt again. Royal Diadem!” Thy joys will be forever.