THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 47.

THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE

Methought I stood, one summer night, Upon a hoary mountain side; I'd journey'd far on wings of light, A heavenly messenger my guide. Like favored seer whose mortal sense Has gazed on mysteries sublime, With Heaven-anointed eyes I looked Adown the changing stream of time.

Methought I saw the church of Christ Adrift upon the whelming flood, The hosts of hell beset her path, Her streaming banners dripped with blood. And through the ages drear and long, I heard her sad and mournful cry, As 'mid the hosts of sin and wrong, She bore her blood-stained banners high.

I looked again, the scene had changed; I saw the church of Christ once more; A diadem was on her brow, A robe of righteousness she wore. Her cruel foes no longer proud, Had fallen 'neath the conquering feet. Fair as the sun, she stood arrayed Her triumph and her joy complete.

The din of war I heard no more,— Instead, fair Zion's glorious notes, The song of Moses and the Lamb, Through heaven's arches sweetly floats. Behold, the marriage feast was spread, I saw the Bridegroom blest and fair. His church, in royal dress arrayed, An honored guest, was seated there.

Then loud and long through endless space, Angelic heralds bore the word, Where suns and systems blaze and race, Till vast infinity has heard: "Lo! here are they who've spotless come Through tribulation's crimson flood, Who've washed their robes and made them clean And pure and white in Jesus' blood." And through the ceaseless ages long, They shout redemption's wondrous song.