RICH AND POOR | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1872

RICH AND POOR.

I saw a poor man enter where The worshipers of God were seen. His garments cheap and worn threadbare, Yet all was tidy, neat, and clean— I saw him take a lonely seat, And worship at the Saviour’s feet.

I saw, hard by, a family, Dressed out in satin, silk, and gold; Their look was haughty, proud, and high, Their gait was very stern and bold— They scarcely deigned to look that way, So poor was he, so rich were they.

I looked again by faith ahead, And saw “the great white throne” on high; I saw the living and the dead, All hastening to their destiny: The rich and poor were in that host, And some were saved and some were lost.

I saw the man who, years ago, Was dressed in tinsel, silk, and gold: But, oh, how changed! how full of woe! What anguish did his looks unfold! His lofty airs were fled and gone, He stood a wretch, unsaved, undone.

I saw the poor man clad in white Stand with the glorious seraphim; Angels that glow in realms of light Were not ashamed to be with him— Oh! who would not prefer to be A sinner saved, though poor as he?

—Sel.