THE CHANGE by Mary Martin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1873

THE CHANGE.

By Mary Martin

“—To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isa. 61: 3.

From out life's ashes eternal bloom! Most wondrous change! will it ever come? And the aspirations and hopes most dear, In the new earth live, though they perish here? Will a Father's hand at last bestow A richer beauty than mortals know? A beauty that lives through endless years, Unmarred by sorrow, undimmed by tears.

Will immortal light beam from the eye, As the pilgrim layeth his armor by? And the “oil of joy” be for mourning given, In the “better land” which we call Heaven? Will “the spirit of heaviness” pass away From the heart that carries it day by day? And “the garment of praise” on forms be seen, Where the robes of toil and of sin have been?

Ah, yes; as the morn, with its crimson blush, Is followed ever by evening's hush, And the midnight stars give place to day, So earthly trials will pass away. As surely as leaves, now scarlet and gold, Shall withered be by the frost-king's cold, And snow-wreaths gather to vanish again, So surely an ending will come to pain.

No mourning is there o'er the ashes of life, For the weary heart will have ceased its strife. And garments of beauty and praise will be given To those who shall shine like the stars in Heaven. And the crowns that glitter where care-marks have been, Will tell there is freedom from sorrow and sin. Though all this to mortal's weak vision looks strange, God is true who has promised this beautiful change.

MARY MARTIN.

New Hampshire.