LASTING HAPPINESS by Susan Elmer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1870

LASTING HAPPINESS.

By Susan Elmer

Oh! where is lasting happiness? In vain we seek it here, Where bitter groans and helpless shrieks Fall painful on the ear.

'Tis not where strife and anarchy In sad confusion reign, Where the poor, stricken captive moans, Bound by a tyrant's chain.

'Tis here the murderer marks his prey, Here, aims the deadly blow; Here helpless, homeless ones are left With hearts o'erwhelmed with woe.

Oh! where is lasting happiness? Long have I wandered round, And chased each flying phantom here; Oh! where can it be found?

Cease, cease each worldly, vain pursuit; Below it is not found, Where cares and disappointed hopes On every side abound.

'Tis where the gates of glittering pearl And golden turrets shine, Where noble brows once furrowed here, With fadeless wreaths are twined.

'Tis where the tree of life doth bloom, And crystal waters rise; Where fadeless flowers the vales adorn In fields of paradise.

SUSAN ELMER.

Ashfield, Mass.