Sabbath Day — Evening and Morning
By Violet Miriam Buck
Long rays of sunshine over the green
Of the orchard; hurrying to get things done
While yet in the sky is the gold of the sun;
And, at the close of the preparation day,
The gathering at worship, to sing and to pray,
Unto the Father we will seek,
For “safely through another week,
God has brought us on our way.” Gently the twilight comes down
Over the soft brown
Of the vineyard. Quietly the breeze
Blows through the cottonwood-trees,
While, from a poplar-tree, the song
Of a mocking-bird mingles our prayers among. Peaceful is the rest
Of the Sabbath night,
On the Father’s breast,
Care-free we rest,
Till the light of the Sabbath morn
Dawns over the mountain’s snow. Then, in the heart of the morning glow,
Once more is born
The hope of a Saviour who will come
In a cloud from the eastern sky,
To gather us up on high—
Us, and the dear loved ones who rest
In the little cemetery’s breast. He will bring us to our heavenly home.
Eager the eyes which look for Him,
Their hope undim.
He will come in an hour that we know not of.
Let us watch and pray, and look above.
After the long, long tarrying time,
When the clock of the universe strikes the hour,
The Son of God will come with power,
With His holy angels. Grant that we
May be ready and fit to dwell with Thee!