Your ShelfYour Projects

THE CITY OF THE SKIES

6%

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1856

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 7, No. 19.

Read the full edition

"THE CITY OF THE SKIES."

By J. M. Church

[From an unpublished Poem, entitled "The Town and its contrasts."]
"And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."—Rev. xxi, 2.
IN Patmos' isle, a vision came To John, belov'd on high, A city fair, far in the air, Above the azure sky. A home, be sure, that city gives To him who happy dies, Sweet place of rest, to mortals blest, The city of the skies!
No scene of town we've sought to paint, That air-poised place doth know, No weed of world nor fragrant flower Within its gardens grow. What! lovely flowers not blooming there, Nor shrubs whose sweets we prize? Be sure 'tis true, all strangely new, The city of the skies!
No sighs, for dear departed friends, There choke and clog the breath, For in the New Jerusalem There's no such curse as death! It is a bride in white robes cloth'd, With sweetly radiant eyes, Fresh from the perfect hand of God, The city of the skies!
Its lofty jewel'd battlements, Watch'd by angelic host, Have names of followers of Lamb Engraved upon each post; Their bonds by golden reed mark'd out, Twelve thousand furlongs rise, And it is long and broad alike, The city of the skies!
The walls of purest jasper are, While streets of gold in mass Shine forth intensely beautiful, Like planes of polished glass. A home, be sure, that city gives, To him that happy dies, Sweet place of rest, to mortals blest, The city of the skies!
Foundations strong of jasper walls, With precious gems bedeck'd, Send back to gates of priceless pearl The glories they reflect. Nor beams of sun, nor beams of moon, To glories such give rise. God and the Lamb illuminate The city of the skies!
The night which oft we deem so fit For 'rapt romantic spell, With moon and stars in calm blue sky, The poet loves so well— Is never known within the walls That round that city rise, That happy rest, to mortals blest, That city of the skies!
The crystal waves of life's pure stream, With current deep and calm. Their sources find in bosom sweet, Of God and of the Lamb!
On river's bank, in golden streets, The trees of life arise, That monthly yield thee luscious fruits, Oh city of the skies!
'Tis 'neath those trees the blessed roam, Feeling no fear of rod, Which often here in wretched world Permitted is, by God. For sorrow never can exist, Nor shade of anguish rise, To him who treads thy happy courts, Bright city of the skies!
Round throne of God, and throne of Lamb, Ever a seraph throng, With swelling note and sweet accord, Chant forth the glad "new song." As gaze they on God's glorious face With rapture beaming eyes, For God thou seest face to face, Sweet city of the skies!
The world wherein our lot is cast Supplies a faithful guide, To lead us on with trusting step, To blessed Jesus' side. For if we well the mercies use And well the tears and sighs, We'll reach thy snow-white gates of pearl, Dear city of the skies!
Give ear! ye denizens of world, A Saviour's blood is free, Bathe, freely bathe your aching hearts In that redeeming sea. Then when you pass death's portal dark, Will greet your wondering eyes, With sparkling wall and glittering gates, The city of the skies!
The glorious city here so beautifully described, is to descend "from God out of heaven," [Rev. xxi, 2,] and be the metropolis of the kingdom that shall be established "under the whole heaven."—ED. REVIEW.