LONGINGS by Lilla D. Avery

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 7, 1877

LONGINGS

By Lilla D. Avery

I long to see that land Where sorrow is unknown, To clasp my Saviour’s hand, And list the music grand Of that bright angel band Around the pearly throne.

I long to pluck the flowers In Eden’s garden rare, Exchange this world of ours, Where oft the tempest lowers, For bright immortal bowers, So beauteous and fair.

I long to know my King, My blessed Lord to see. I long his praise to sing Till Zion’s hills shall ring, And adoration bring To him who died for me.

Ye Spirits of delight, Around the eternal throne, In that fair world of light, Where all is pure and bright, Where somber shades of night Forever are unknown,—

Do ye not sometimes fly To this dark world so drear, To wipe the tearful eye, To soothe the mourner’s sigh? Do ye not leave the sky, To whisper words of cheer?

I fain would bid you stay, Sweet messengers of love, O tarry here I pray, Nor haste your flight away To those bright realms of day And fadeless joy above.

E’en now by faith I see The city’s glittering towers. My spirit longs to be From earth’s dark shadows free, Enjoy life’s healing tree, And gather fadeless flowers.

I know my hope is sure, That my reward is nigh. What though earth’s joys allure If I may but endure, And gain that heaven pure, In that “Sweet by and by”?

LILLA D. AVERY.

Locke, Ing. Co., April 21, 1877.