The Departed Year by A. M. A. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 6, 1863

The Departed Year.

By A. M. A. Cornell

Another year is numbered with the past, How quickly have its moments sped away? The morning shed its light, the evening cast Its shadow o'er the soon departing day.

The weeks and months have almost moments seemed, So swiftly have they rolled their course around; But with events of interest they've teemed, And ears have almost tingled at the sound.

We hear and read of bloodshed, war and strife, And hearts of men are failing them for fear. The very air with pestilence is rife— All tokens of the great destruction near.

This wicked world is now fast filling up Its measure of iniquity and crime, And to its very dregs must drink the cup Of God's fierce wrath reserved for guilty man.

Sweet mercy's warning voice they will not heed, But still are rushing blindly, madly on As though from all restraint they would be freed That they might hasten their impending doom.

But see amid the strife the Christian stand, Firm and unshaken as the mountains are; For He who holds the nations in his hand, Has bidden his dear children not to fear.

To the stronghold for safety they have fled, And stand secure in his almighty name; And while his light is round about them shed, They're safe from swelling flood or fiery flame.

A few more battles fought, and victories won, And all their toils and conflicts will be o'er, Then with the host redeemed they'll sing the song Of triumph on the bright eternal shore.

A. M. A. CORNELL.

Battle Creek, Mich.