DARK HOURS by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 14, 1876

DARK HOURS.

By Eliza H. Morton

THE great mass of people spend most of their time in the valleys of doubt, sorrow, and remorse. Although some people seem to live among the mountain tops and “on the hights,” yet there are hours in the lives of every individual when the sun refuses to shine, the fire refuses to burn, the world looks cold and unfriendly, despair comes in like a cloud, hopelessness takes possession of the soul, life looks dreary and unpleasant, and the grave seems a welcome hiding-place. Who can describe the sense of loneliness, the yearning tenderness, the wild, bitter cry of the human heart after rest, refuge, and home?

Man is tempted, because he is mortal and in a world of sin. Evil angels are suffered, at times, to wave their dark wings above his head, press in solid phalanx before him, and shut out every ray of light from the Infinite; but the darkness is not forever. “Joy cometh in the morning.” Hope reanimates the sinking spirits. Gladness springs up anew. Peace takes possession of the heart, and days of calm happiness follow the days of gloom.

Fellow-mortal, be not discouraged when the winds blow, the clouds grow black, and all heaven looks dark; beyond it is all light, and that light will eventually scatter the blackness of despair. “The Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in his wings,” and there will come a morning which will know no night forever.

ELIZA H. MORTON.

Allen's Corner, Me.