p. 1 | TH PILGRIM by Sarah M. Swan

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1859

TH PILGRIM.

By Sarah M. Swan

Whence comest thou, stranger? and why in such haste? Thou art fainting and weary; come halt thee and rest; Why stayest thou not to enjoy life's brief ray? To what distant country art thou bending thy way?

From a land that is doomed to destruction I come, In the city celestial to seek me a home; A home that is peaceful, immortal and fair, Ask me not here to tarry; I haste to be there.

But here's riches, and pleasure, ambition and mirth, And varied the joys and the pleasures of earth; Fame, honor and wealth, with their charms all combined, If here thou wilt tarry, all this shall be thine.

I cannot delay; your pleasure and mirth, Your riches and honor, I view little worth; With treasures more beauteous, exquisite and rare, My soul is enraptured; I haste to be there.

But why tread a pathway so rugged and drear, So lonely and dark? does thy heart never fear? Who will shield thee from lions which compass thy way, And direct, if perchance from the path thou should'st stray?

Though the path may be rugged, I love it full well, For it leads to the land where my Saviour doth dwell; My heart shall not fear while his footsteps I trace, He'll protect from all danger, and give me his grace.

His word is a lamp to illumine my dark way, His Spirit a guide which forbids me to stray, His hand shall me lead 'mid temptation and care, To his heavenly kingdom; I haste to be there.

SARAH M. SWAN.

Mantua, Ohio.