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THE CRACK IN THE BELL

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 10, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 35.

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THE CRACK IN THE BELL.

By T. S. Parmelee

BY T. S. PARMELEE.
WHAT means this crack in liberty's bell? What means this crack?—will someone tell? It once rang clear and loud and long, Proclaiming freedom's welcome song. Why are its tones now badly marred? Why is its noble form so scarred?
Around its rim a motto fair. And—is our history written there? Freedom we once proclaimed to all. But has our freedom had a fall? What are the tones that now we hear? Do freedom's notes still greet the ear?
Our fathers crossed the trackless sea, From priests and tyrants to be free. The hand of God was leading them, They promised freedom to all men. But now another sound we hear; Tyrants rejoice while wise men fear.
The narrow bigot now holds sway; The people are not free to-day. The Saviour's rule is set aside, While priests o'er human conscience ride. Men do not now sweet freedom sing, And liberty's bell, now, cannot ring. Traverse City, Mich.