UNBIDDEN GUESTS by M. D. A.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1870

UNBIDDEN GUESTS.

By M. D. A.

[The following lines so truthfully tell my own experience that I copy them for the Review, hoping that some other heart may receive the same benefit I have in reading them again and again.— M. D. A.]

In my chamber sit I musing, On a quiet Sabbath eve; Thoughts which come not at my choosing, Thoughts which, bidden, will not leave, Come like specters, come to haunt me From the graves of former time— Silent, yet I hear them taunt me, Now with folly, now with crime;

From the dead past come to linger In the present far too long; Pointing back with ghostly finger, To my every act of wrong. Crowd they on my troubled vision, In a dark and gloomy line, Bearing each its special mission To this trembling heart of mine.

This points out a suffering neighbor, Whom I eased not of his pain; That, how much of all my labor Has been given to worldly gain. This reminds of harsh words spoken; That, of sullen discontent. This recalls a promise broken; That, the hours, of days misspent.

These, with stern though sad upbraiding, Count my oft neglected prayers. Those show faith and love, now fading, Withered, choked by earthly cares. Here arranged in solid column, Each with open book in hand, Many wearing aspect solemn, With their mournful records stand.

Avarice and foul oppression, Unjust judgment, cruel scorn, Trusts neglected, false profession, Haughty pride from meanness born; Friendship cheated, want of candor, Strife and anger, passion dire, Envy, hatred, malice, slander, Stubborn will and base desire.

Conscience, from her slumber starting, Wakens with redoubled force, Through the soul her arrows darting, Terror, anguish, keen remorse. Spectral thoughts, why thus unbidden, From the graves of former time, Bring ye back the deeds long hidden, Deeds of folly and of crime.

Why thus linger to distress me? O'er the past 't is vain to grieve. Comes another thought to bless me, Softly speaks, Repeat, believe! Though as scarlet thy transgressions, White as snow thy sins shall be; Christ for thee makes intercession, God for him will pardon thee.

Bending low in deep contrition, Now in prayer I seek relief; Lord, forgive, is my petition; Help thou, Lord, my unbelief. Hope revives, the light is breaking; Thoughts all vanish, torments cease; Love in still, small voice is speaking, Faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

—Churchman.