THE WAKING HOUR by Keble

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1875

THE WAKING HOUR.

By Keble

“Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Rom. 13:11.

AWAKE—again the gospel trump is blown— From year to year it swells with louder tone; From year to year the signs of wrath Are gathering round the Judge’s path, Strange words fulfilled, and mighty works achieved, And truth in all the world both hated and believed.

Awake! why linger in the gorgeous town, Sworn liegeman of the cross and thorny crown? Up from your beds of sloth; for shame! Speed to the eastern mount like flame, Nor wonder should we find your King in tears, Even with the loud hosannah ringing in his ears.

Alas! no need to rouse them: long ago They are gone forth to swell Messiah’s show; With glittering robes, and garlands sweet They strew the ground beneath his feet: All but your hearts are there—O doomed to prove The arrows winged in Heaven for faith that will not love!

Thus bad and good their several warnings give Of His approach whom none may see and live: Faith’s ear, with awful, still delight, Counts them like minute bells at night, Keeping the heart awake till dawn of morn, While to her funeral pile this aged world is borne.

But what are Heaven’s alarms to hearts that cower In wilful slumber, deepening every hour, That draw their curtains closer round, The nearer swells the trumpet’s sound? Lord, ere our trembling lamps sink down and die, Touch us with chastening hand, and make us feel thee nigh.

—Keble.