SEEN AND UNSEEN | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1879

SEEN AND UNSEEN.

They gathered round the mountain's slope, The vast embattled host, In all the martial blazonry That Syria's king could boast! Warriors in bravery of mail, With sword and spear and shield, With chariot wheel and prancing steed, Careering o'er the field.

Oh, grandly on the bannered host Looked forth the rising sun! Oh, brightly through the crystal air Helmet and corselet shone! And all their spangled panoply Flung back the sunlight's gleam, As if the horses were of fire— The chariots of flame!

In all their pageantry and pride, In serried ranks they stood, Around the modest home where dwelt The humble man of God. What single heart will dare confront— What might of single hand Will hope to brave this bold array, Their bristling ranks withstand?

The servant of the man of God, When bursts upon his gaze The vision of the circling bands, Stands in bewildered maze; His blinded eye of sense can see Naught but the earthly host; "Alas!" in blank dismay he cries, "My Master! we are lost!"

No terror shook the Prophet's soul; Uplifted in that hour His spirit on its Helper leaned, And felt an unseen Power. Warriors of Heaven—a shining host Around his dwelling hem; "Fear not," he cries, "for those with us Are more than those with them."

And answering the Prophet's prayer, Upon his servant's eyes The vision of the angelic host Flashes with glad surprise! Ten thousand times ten thousand strong, Around, above, they stand, In serried rank a solid front, Band rising beyond band!

What wonder that the Prophet's soul The hosts of earth defied, When thronging spirits fill the skies, And Heaven stands by his side! What wonder that the Syrian bands Give way without a blow, Stunned by a stroke they knew not whence, Blinded they knew not how!

Oh, ye who stand for Truth and God, Trust not your mortal sight! Fear not the thronging multitudes, Fear not their marshalled might! One soul in panoply of Heaven Is stronger than their host! The cause which God befriends cannot Outnumbered be, or lost!

Celestial hosts muster their ranks, Waving on high their swords; Voices of God—voices of Heaven Speak through their burning words! Brighter than flaming chariot, Stronger than fiery horse, All Heaven is marshalled on your side— God and the Universe!—Advance.