THE HOPE THAT ENDURETH.
By S. Elmer
Oh! give me a hope that is free from deception;
A hope that is changeless, confiding, and pure;
Which brightens the more as the clouds darkly thicken,
And rests on an anchor eternally sure; A hope that will buoy us o'er life's surging billows,
Although the fierce lightnings gleam o'er the dark wave,
And our frail bark be tossed with the wild waves' commotion,
Still trust in the skill of the Pilot to save; That exults at the thought of a soon-coming Saviour,
And points the lone pilgrim to yonder bright home;
That sees through the cloud a reconciled Father,
And trusts in his mercies, whatever may come. With a hope firm as this, we can pass through death's portals,
And rest for a while in the cold, silent tomb;
Assured that the voice of our Saviour will wake us
To life once again, clothed with immortal bloom.