p. 9 | THE TWO WAYS by Pauline E. Fife

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 25, 1899

THE TWO WAYS.

By Pauline E. Fife

It had been a day of heart-ache, Of clamor, and toil, and strife, A day of storm and battle, With sin and with sorrow rife. Sadly I turned toward heaven, But nearer the dark clouds came; And it seemed to me that my labor Of love was all in vain.

There is no need, said the tempter, That your life be spent in vain. Has art or science or travel A pleasure you may not claim? Seek, in the halls of wisdom, Ease and an honored name; Mine are the kingdoms of earth-land, And I give to my children fame.

Forget the poor and the needy, The outcast and forlorn. Walk as the wide world walketh, Nor fear the coming storm. Then, when you turn at even From the sunny paths you've trod, There'll still be ease and resting Within the gates of God.

The tempter ceased, for music Wondrously pure and sweet, Sung by the watching angels, My listening ear did greet; Then I saw an angel beckon, And with him I fled through space, Past myriad worlds—past marvels Of color and form and grace.

But when we reached the city Of the great God's jasper throne, My angel guide he left me To wander on alone. I walked through stately mansions, And lingered in gardens fair, Yet, strangest of all these marvels, I saw no angels there.

Wondering I said, They departed To some enchanting shore, Seeking new joy and pleasure From the Father's endless store. For them are no days of sadness, No long, dark nights of pain; They hear no cries of anguish, Nor look on sin or shame.

Anon through the gates of heaven I heard a cry of wo, So sad, beseeching, familiar, I cried in shame, "Let me go." In the dreary realm of mortals, In the midst of death and shame, Legions of holy angels There soothe and banish pain.

"As long as the world hath sorrow, As long as the heart hath wo," Whenever men need comfort, God's angels will come and go. "Ah, service is sweeter than pleasure!" The dear Lord said to me, Mine eyes grew dim, and I whispered, "Where once I was blind, I see." PAULINE E. FIFE. Oakland, Cal.