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WHAT IS EARTH?

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 20, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 44.

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WHAT IS EARTH?

By Mrs. M. J. Bahler

BY MRS. M. J. BAHLER.
Oh what is this earth with its pleasures? A bauble so worthless and vain That the hearts which have most of its treasures Are throbbing and bursting with pain. Oh, heed not the voices enticing, Which call thee to join with the throng Who are laughing and chatting so gaily, Unheeding the hours which roll on.
Nay, list' not, nor linger one moment In the bowers at the side of the way; They are fragrant, I know, with sweet odors, Rare flowers there blooming each day; But there's danger beneath their shade tempting; They enchant, and then lead us away From the path which is rugged and thorny, And filled with great crosses alway.
Then, oh, shun not the path filled with crosses, 'Tis the road to the city of God; No other leads up to those mansions— Then bow 'neath the cross and the rod. Yes, the cross we must take with rejoicing, Like Peter, e'en thankful to share The scorn and contempt so debasing, Which our Lord in humility bare.
Then think not, O follower of Jesus, One moment, so precious, to spend In idle and fruitless endeavor To please self; you'll find in the end That each cup which you drink in these bowers So pleasing to eye and to taste, Will assuredly prove no elixir, But will deaden your senses; then haste.
Leave planning and caring for pleasure; Lift nobly each cross which you find; Then peace will shed softly her fragrance, Distilling pure love through the mind. Oh, think, were the heavens to open, And Jesus in glory to appear, Transcendent, majestic, and awful, With trumpet peals piercing the air,—
With the chariot of cloud swiftly coming To earth for the chosen and tried, Should we then lift our voices rejoicing, Or seek in deep caverns to hide? Oh, swiftly that great day approaches, That day fraught with anguish and joy; Then let not the angel write sadly, Vain pleasures God's children employ.
Oakland, Cal., Nov. 2, 1884.