Escape for thy Life by Col. Blacker

Publishing Committee · BATTLE CREEK, MICH. · Jul 24, 1856

Escape for thy Life.

By Col. Blacker

"Escape for thy life!" was the merciful warning From heaven vouchsafed to the good man of old, By angels conveyed on the terrible morning When burst the fire-torrent on vice's dark hold. "No fondly delaying: no looking behind thee: "Speed onward in haste with thy daughters and wife, In the cave of yon mountain a shelter to find thee: Destruction surrounds thee: escape for thy life!"

And O has it ceased? and does mercy no longer Proclaim to thee, mortal, that danger is nigh? No, sinner: each hour it comes louder and stronger, The voice that implores thee for refuge to fly. To linger is madness, a snake in thy path: Each moment neglected with peril is rife. It gathers—the tempest of vengeance and wrath; Hark, hark to its thunders! "Escape for thy life!"

By prophet and saint has the warning been spoken, Successive revealing the councils of God; His Spirit "confirming," by sign and by token, Each proffer of mercy, each threat of his rod. They bid thee be girded with heaven's own armor: The conflict impends, and how mighty the strife! Deaf adder, awake to the voice of the charmer! The cross be the refuge: "Escape for thy life!"

And dream not the menacing danger thou fearest Is found in the wild passion-tempest alone: It lurks in the joys to thy heart that are dearest, Alluring thee sinward, each caution o'erthrown. Then think of the parent whose faith, all unshaken, Devoted the hope of his age to the knife; The thought on thy soul a like trust may awaken To sacrifice all, and escape for thy life!