THE LOVE OF GOD by David McCourt

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1879

THE LOVE OF GOD.

By David McCourt

WHAT in this path of life, so lone and drear, Beset by envy, hate, and woe, Can break the clouds of darkness that appear Oftimes to mortals here below? "Is there no help?" the lost and wretched cry; "Must life be lost, must man forever die?" Look up, ye helpless ones, to Heaven above; Bid darkness flee, and feel God's boundless love.

Oh! dark the scenes that often meet the gaze, Heart-stirring tones call forth the tear: O, Sin, we find no pleasure in thy ways, We know thy wages is the bier. That mighty chasm, horrid, deep, and broad, That frowns between the soul of man and God: Yet fear not, pilgrims, dark though it may be, The love of God can bridge that gulf for thee.

O, ye whose hearts are sunken deep in sin, Awake to Christ, he calls for thee, Fly to his arms, a holier life begin, And rise to immortality: Bid sin and all his mighty hosts depart, And yield to God thy undivided heart; While He imparts his Spirit, heavenly dove, An emblem of our Lord's undying love.

No longer linger in the gloom of night, In paths of sin to grope thy way: Arise and seek the fount of living light, The sunshine of eternal day: Arise, and fairer scenes will greet thine eyes, Sweet glimpses of thy home beyond the skies; Delay not, the accepted hour has come, Slight not God's love, He calls thee now, Come home.

Then onward pilgrims, tread the heavenly path, Though strait and narrow be the way; Fear not the threatening wars of Satan's wrath, Look up to Heaven, and trust and pray: Soon will thy pilgrimage draw to a close, Thou shalt be crowned victorious o'er thy foes: Then changed to life and immortality, Shalt sing God's love throughout eternity.

DAVID MCCOURT.