THE HEART'S GATE | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 57.

THE HEART'S GATE.

"Who knocks at the heart's gate?" "I," said Sin. "Will you let me in? Will you let me in?" And I asked of the guerdon that Sin would give, And I learnt that thence I should surely live In joy and in mirth through my world's career, If the pleadings of Sin I would only hear. And I loved the picture, and spake to Sin: "I will let thee in. I will let thee in."

"Who knocks at the heart's gate?" Quoth Virtue, "I. Will you pass me by? Will you pass me by?" And I asked what boon I might hope to claim If into my heart fair Virtue came; And I learnt that sorrow and care and strife Might perchance be mine through the days of life. And I loathed the picture, and made reply: "I will pass thee by. I will pass thee by."

"Who knocks at the heart's gate?" "I," said Doom To my heart as it slept in the silent tomb. "Thou hast harbored Sin through thy world's career, And the pleading of Virtue refused to hear. But in life thy conscience assured thee well That Virtue was heaven, and that Sin was hell; So now shall eternity's pains begin. Thou must let me in. Thou must let me in." —Selected.