p. 325 | SUNSET BY NIAGARA by Mrs. M. J. Bahler

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 29, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 21.

SUNSET BY NIAGARA.

By Mrs. M. J. Bahler

BY MRS. M. J. BAHLER.

The sun has sunk beneath a cloud, With edge of pink and gold, And here Niagara mirrors back The beauteous scene twofold. Here where I gaze, this river proud Is calm as tideless lake; But on my ear there falls the roar Its plunging waters make.

I've often watched its curling waves, With snow-white feathery crest, Go whirling, dashing, rushing by, With ne'er a pause to rest; And standing 'neath the fearful cliff O'er which these waters pour, While gazing upward, filled with awe, Have thought, "All must adore

The power that formed this cataract grand, For here the soul must raise From nature up to nature's God With reverent awe and praise." Oft, standing on the tow'ring rocks Which form Niagara's brow, I've gazed with wonder and with dread On rocks and flood below.

And here, with fascinated eye Fixed on these waters green, I've watched while pearl-white sprays would break In grand and beauteous sheen. And once when winter's glistening robe Was spread o'er all around, On trees, from root to topmost twig, On rocks, and frozen ground;

When tower and bridges all were clad In robes of frozen spray, And icicles of ponderous size Hung from each crag away; When the deep green these waters wear, Contrasted with this white, Seemed like an emerald set in pearl Of living, gleaming light;

And o'er this scene so wondrous fair, The brilliant sunbeams lay In such a flood that diamonds seemed Sparkling about our way,— I, viewing, stood with wonder chained, And veiled my aching eyes; Thought of the city built of gems, And pearls of wondrous size,

Whose light effulgent gleaming far No mortal eye could bear, And whose grand harp-tones swelling full Upon the ambient air, As angel hosts surround the throne And Heaven's King adore, Might to our untrained mortal ears Seem like Niagara's roar.

And once at solemn midnight hour, When summer's robes so fair Were bathed in floods of silver light, The full moon's radiance there, I came to view the lunar bow, Rare glory here displayed; And then it seemed the Almighty God Had there his presence stayed.

I seemed to stand before his throne, And, wrapped in awful dread, I felt that this was holy ground Profaned by mortal's tread. God's voice seemed speaking in the roar, Which rising, swelling, filled The heart with awe, and with strange power The lips in silence held.

Oh, solemn scene! with pulses stilled, And bated breath we stood, Then walked in silence from the place Which seemed the house of God. Niagara! no pen can paint The grandeur here displayed; The changing beauty of thy flood Can never be portrayed.

Denison City, Texas.