OCCASION | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 6, 1880

OCCASION.

"SAY, who art thou, with more than mortal air, Endowed by Heaven with gifts and graces rare, Whom restless, winged feet still onward bear?"

"I am Occasion—known to few at best; And since one foot upon a wheel I rest, Constant my movements are—they cannot be repressed.

Not the swift eagle, in his swiftest flight, Can equal me in speed. My wings are bright, And man, who sees them waved, is dazzled by the sight.

My thick and flowing locks before me thrown, Conceal my form—nor face, nor breast is shown, That thus, as I approach, my coming be not known.

Behind my head no single lock of hair, Invites the hand that fain would grasp it there; But he who lets me pass, to seize me may despair."

"Whom, then, so close behind thee do I see?"

"Her name is Penitence; and Heaven's decree, Hath made all those her prey who profit not by me.

And thou, O mortal, who dost so vainly ply These curious questions; thou dost not descry, That now thy time is lost—for I am passing by."