p. 1 | AN ANGEL IN THE WAY

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1857

AN ANGEL IN THE WAY.

Fair the downward path is spread. Love and light thy coming greet; Fruit is blushing o'er thy head, Flowers are growing 'neath thy feet. Mirth and Sin, with tossing hands, Wave thee on, a willing prey; Yet an instant pause—there stands An angel in the way.

Heed the heavenly warning. Know Fairest flowers thy feet may trip; Fruits, that like the sunset glow, Turn to ashes on the lip. Though the joys be wild and free, Which would tempt from God to stray, Even mortal eye can see An angel in the way.

Wilt thou drown in worldly pleasures? Wilt thou have, like him of old, Length of days and stores of treasures, Wisdom, glory, power, and gold? Life and limb shall sickness waste, Want shall grind thee day by day; Still, to win thee, God hath placed An angel in the way.

Trusting all on things that perish, Shall a hopeless faith be thine? Earthly idol wilt thou cherish? Bow before an earthly shrine? Meet rebuke to mortal love, Yearning for a child of clay, Death shall cross thy path, and prove An angel in the way.

When the prophet thought to sin, Tempted by his heathen guide— When a prince's grace to win, Prophet lips would fain have lied— Then the brute the same controlled, Found a human voice to say, "Master, smite me not—behold An angel in the way!"

So, when Vice, to lure her slave, Woos him down the shining track, Spirit hands are stretched to save, Spirit voices warn him back. Heart of man, to evil prone, Chafe not at thy sin's delay; Bow thee humbly down and own An angel in the way!