KINGLY ROBES by E. G. Sprague

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 13, 1876

KINGLY ROBES.

By E. G. Sprague

They tell of wondrous cloth of gold, Spun in some eastern loom; Of costly robes, empurpled o’er With lovely Tyrian bloom.

They tell of garments, rich and rare, Made for earth’s favored ones, Whose every seam is frosted o’er With pearls and precious stones.

But there’s a robe that is not decked With ermine or with gold, And yet a kingdom’s worth is held In every glist’ning fold.

No jewel breaks its graceful flow From throat to simple hem; But oh, it shines with luster far Surpassing any gem!

I’d rather fold above my heart This vesture pure of Peace— Of Righteousness and Hope and Faith, Than one and all of these.

More richly dressed the beggar poor, Who wears this garment white, Than he who recks not of its worth, Though crowned with princely might,

Then take away earth’s robes of state, Christ’s spotless garment bring; I’d wear it far more gladly than The purple of a king.

—E. G. Sprague.