Calvary and Eternity by Mabel Craker

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 24, 1911

Calvary and Eternity

By Mabel Craker

O CALVARY! Sweet Calvary! My heart responds at thought of thee! Tho weird the scene when midday's sun Refused the place to shine upon, And darkness blacker than at night So speedily usurped its right, 'Tis there, in fancy, I can see My Saviour dear on Calvary, O Calvary, dark Calvary!

No eye could pierce the settled gloom Ere He had graced one Joseph's tomb, Save when fierce lightnings, circling Him, His form revealed,— His eyes grew dim,— Yes, Death, grim monster, claimed his prey, And our dear Saviour died that day On Calvary, dread Calvary.

So, proud to low'r the Sinless One, And bind the Father's lovely Son, Death reigned supreme.— O, black despair, Had our dear Lord remained there. Filled now would be the earth with gloom; Yes, sealed for aye the sinner's doom, And none could hope for victory Beyond the hills of Calvary, O sad and awful Calvary!

God's heart of love could not forget The One His favor true had met — And angels from the throne on high Sped swiftly through ethereal sky. All nature sympathized, indeed; Earth shook with their increasing speed, As on they came with conq'ring tread, Gladly to wake their sleeping dead Who gave His life on Calvary.

As calmly wakes the slumb'ring child, Obedience gives sweet sleep a while. So rose our Lord, triumphantly, When called of Heaven ever to be Victor with God eternally.

Praise ye His name, exalted ones! Sinners, rejoice! Hold not your tongues! For all from sin may cleansed be, With blood that flowed at Calvary, To all who trust, blest Calvary!

Linked by His death are earth and heav'n, Saved by His life so freely giv'n Through ages of eternity. Can man ere cease to sing of thee, O Calvary, sweet Calvary!

Turk, Washington.