PERMANENCE by M. B. Clarke

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1904

PERMANENCE.

By M. B. Clarke

BY M. B. CLARKE.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever."

MEN seek for permanence. Of old They builded cities high With towers and palaces whose tops They thought should reach the sky. Thus Babylon and Carthage grew, And banners gay unfurled, And Rome upon her seven hills Sat mistress of the world.

Ruin and desolation dwell Where these proud cities reigned, No stone remains to mark the spot, By sun-god towers profaned. The kings who builded or destroyed Left but an empty name, On history's page few care to read, Yet such is earthly fame.

Love guards its own with jealous care, By vigil and by tear, But helpless, sits with folded hands Beside the flower-strewn bier. Not wealth, nor fame, nor even love, True permanence may claim On earth, to each the touch of time Brings change and loss the same.

On the dark record of the past A single name appears, One life whose stainless purity Dispels our doubts and fears, Jesus, the Christ, enduring name, All other names before, To-day and yesterday the same, The same forevermore.

Through Him unbounded wealth we gain, Through Him undying fame, For He, the Lord of heaven and earth, Has called us by His name. Through Him immortal life is ours, From sin and death set free, And Love through Him its own may keep To all eternity.