ICHABOD by George E. Price

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 9, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 35.

"ICHABOD."

By George E. Price

BY GEORGE E. PRICE.

INTO the nave of a grand old church I wandered one summer eve; The sky was yet bright with the westering sun, As on the still air of the evening rung Music that spoke of God.

Swelling aloft to the vaulted dome It lifted my thoughts above. And the cares and the troubles of life did seem But the heat and vapor of some ill dream Banished by breezes of love.

Change after change came over the scene; I seemed to see Cæsar there, The music had changed to a martial song, And down the long aisle it swept along, Speaking the praise of man.

Much more than this however I saw And heard ere the scene was done; An bride elect now appeared in view, As fair as the sun and as fresh as the dew, Giving to Cæsar her hand.

Changing again I heard a low moan That arose from the altar's base, And louder and louder its notes became Till martyred millions I heard proclaim: "Union of woe and blood!"

"Out from the midst of th' adulterous pair Our brother we pray you come, For God hath beheld all the sins they have wrought And the horrible lies that for truth they have taught. Brother, we pray you come."

High o'er the chancel I saw a scroll And on it the hand of God, And "Ichabod!" "Ichabod!" there it wrote, And "Ichabod! Ichabod!" swelled the note, "Fallen is Babylon!"

Butternut Ridge, N. B.