p. 1 | THE MORNING by Etta Booth

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1872

THE MORNING.

By Etta Booth

“The morning cometh and also the night.”

An hour before the sun illumines the sky, The constellated firmament on high, You've seen from out the mountain's valley deep, Around the silent pole its marches keep; This pure and wondrous scene which seemed to raise Your weary thoughts to hopes of by-and-by, Seemed hidden by a heavy, misty haze.

You knew the hidden domes of stellar light Proclaimed last watches of the lovely night, And clouds that settled on the lofty cliffs, Were the true ushers of that light which lifts All shadows from the long, dark night away, And from his zenith chambers still more bright Pour down the glory of the full-grown day.

When conflict sore, and tribulation borne, Or costly, sacred sacrifice that's torn The casements open to our selfish hearts, How blest that morning light which still imparts Those rays of quiet peace and sweet repose, When of all earthly help we have been shorn, And darkest hours are added at the close.

These nights of peril which around us lie, Are the gold censers bright from which on high Faith wafts her incense to the throne above, Mingling with bitterness that divinest love Which the glad morning will present to view, The knotted clouds of trial all untie To diamond drops of rich, unfading hue.

Throughout the darkest watches of the night This earth has struggled, seeking for the light To dawn upon her misery and woe. In vain she's sought the peaceful mistletoe, But, lo! a darkness settles all abroad. See! 'tis the herald of that coming light Which ushers in the glorious morn of God.

The patient ones have watched and waited long, Toiling, suffering, battling 'gainst the wrong, Till truth has raised her banners to the sky, No more beneath the oppressor's heel to lie. Soon shall her children from the foes' enthrall With hallelujahs sing redemption's song, When in the morning sounds the Shepherd's call.

ETTA BOOTH.