OH Blessed Hope! With immortality replete!
With joys celestial crowned! Beyond the grasp of
Human mind its heighths to comprehend, or depths
Explore, exceeding far imagination's
Widest stretch its glories to portray; that brings to
View the COMING ONE, who, in the glory of his
Father, bright arrayed, with all the retinue of
Shining angels thronged, shall in his flaming chariot
Descend, his ransomed ones to gather home. When from
The mighty bosom of the earth the sleeping saints,
Long mingled with the dust, shall wake, and ocean's
Wat'ry bed its myriads restore, immortal,
With the living saints, redeemed, shall rise to meet him
In the air; and on the sea of glass the glorious
Company, enraptured, gazing stand, with glittering
Crowns, star-gemmed, and strike their golden harps to heaven's
Strains attuned, in songs of victory.
And through the pearly gates, the Holy City, enter,
New Jerusalem, paved with purest gold, and decked
With dazzling lustre, mortal eye hath ne'er beheld,
Nor could behold, and from the TREE of LIFE its fruit
Immortal pluck and eat, and from the crystal fountain
Living water drink. Where tears are wiped away, and
Sin and pain and death no entrance find.
When earth no more shall groan beneath the curse, but with
Its with'ring lines effaced, shall bloom, in its primeval
Beauty dressed, and smile in robes of universal
Peace. And o'er its green, elysian fields, with verdure
Never-fading, clothed, the saints in union sweet may
Range, and in ambrosial bowers repose, where birds
Light-winged, of varied plumage fair, delight to warble
Forth their sweetest lays, and through unnumbered years, its
Glories ever new, unfolding, in the kingdom
Of their God shall as the stars for ever shine, his
Power omnipotent adore, his works beholding,
Still admire.
Oh Blessed Hope! That with a ray undying, burns
Within the breast, to buoy our drooping spirits 'mid
Life's ever varying scenes of care, and toil and strife,
And with its beams refulgent, emanating from
The burning throne, dispels the deep'ning shades that thicken
Round our way, and guides our trembling feet along the
Rough and narrow pathway, leading to its sacred
Goal, that ope's the portals of eternal day.
Since first by sin the realms of Paradise were lost,
Thou hast the Christian's solace been, and sure
Support in scourgings sore, and tribulation deep.
Encircled by the sheeted flame thou like a radiant
Halo around his brow, hast shed thy light benign, and,
While the vital spark remained, praise his lips employed.
Thou hast the mourner's grief assuaged, and from the grave
Its terror cast, and wide dispersed its mantling gloom!
For through its vistas dark thy cheering promise of
The resurrection morning gilds the way, when, o'er
The just the Tyrant Death no more shall reign, but from
His cruel grasp they rise on Love's triumphant wing
To meet where partings are unknown.
Time, in its rapid flight, has onward sped, and now
Far down the great prophetic chains that present, past
And future link, the signs predicted in the Word
Presaging forth its end, in mercy are spread out
O'er nature's face, and bright emblazoned on its
Canopy, and Inspiration's Page, unsealed, with
Light unwonted shines for all the wise to
Understand where on the sea of time they were, the
Beacon-light descry to guide them o'er its trembling
Verge, safe in the port of endless rest.
They loud the cry proclaimed, to warn a guilty world
Of its approaching doom, and from apathy
Arouse a slumbering church to refuge seek from the
Impending storm. And while the wicked scoffed, a
Humble band with joy their sails unfurling to the
Breeze, 'neath skies serene borne on, prepared their glorious
King to meet.
But when chill disappointment's dart with anguish pierced,
And gathering darkness veiled the vision from their view,
Their courage failed to longer stem the tide, and with
The current floated back where cold formality
Has quenched the genial flame that once with zeal inspired.
And many a bark, upon the waves of error
Wildly tossed, (whose notes discordant harshly grate
Upon the ear of truth,) is driven on, enveloped
In its misty fogs that intercept the guiding
Light divine, or dashed against the wreck-strewn shore.
A few, though clouds arise, and ruin's tempests round
Them burst, with firm unfaltering trust in Him,
Who, in the purpose of his will, his Word, immutable,
Fulfills, upon his faithful promises rely.
And with the eye of faith unwavering, fixed upon the
Golden prize, will onward, in Truth's even channel steer,
Until the day shall dawn, the Sun of righteousness
Arise with his resplendent rays, to usher in
The morning of eternity, succeeding time's
Long night of fearful storm.
So live, in patient waiting for the Lord, that when
He shall appear, thou may'st not on rocks and mountains
Vainly call, to hide thee from his presence; but his
Returning hail with joy; and hear the welcome—Come!
Ye blessed of my Father—Come! Thy blest
Inheritance receive, and join with all the bright
Seraphic host, in one harmonious voice, to swell
The anthem, deep of endless praises to the Lamb,
And, with the vast assembly, share the full
Fruition of thy HOPE for evermore. Rochester, N. Y.