p. 110 | Cheer Thee

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 1, 1864

Cheer Thee.

Watchman, on the walls of Zion, does the night seem long and drear? Does the darkness seem to deepen, and thy heart to sink with fear? Catchest not one ray of sunshine, one faint glimmering of light, Through the dark and gloomy shadows, to dispel the dreary night? Look beyond thy stately watch-tower; look beyond the city's wall, Where the shadows fall around thee, like a dark and funeral pall. Look beyond thee; see the "day star" rising in the eastern sky; Cheer thee, for the night is passing, and the morning draweth nigh.

Traveler o'er life's thorny pathway, wearied with the ceaseless toil, Does the road seem dark before thee? does thy soul with fear recoil? Do the lengthening shadows gather round thy steep and rugged way? Do the pleasures that surround thee bid thee in thy journey stay? Look beyond earth's bitter trials, look beyond its pleasures too; See what bright and glorious prospects burst upon thy raptured view. Onward, to that heavenly city, see its glittering turrets shine; Wide its golden portals open, cheer thee, for that home is thine.

Sailor on the boundless ocean, gliding o'er life's troubled wave, Do the dark rocks loom around thee, and the foaming surges rave? Does the angry tempest lower, and the thunders fiercely roll? Flash the livid, lurid lightnings, striking terror to thy soul? Look beyond the foaming billows, look beyond the storm and strife; Look beyond life's troubled waters, to the peaceful stream of life. Though thy bark be wildly driven, soon the storms will all be past; Cheer thee, for in that blest haven, thou wilt safely rest at last.

Warrior on the field of battle, fighting for a deathless crown, Do the arrows fly around thee,—does the world upon thee frown? Though thy brightest hopes be riven, still press forward in the strife; He who wins a soul for heaven, he shall wear the crown of life. Warrior, gird thy gospel armor, still press on, whate'er betide; Look beyond the smoke of battle, where the peaceful streamlets glide; Soon the conquest will be ended, soon the victory will be won; Cheer thee! thou shalt hear the welcome from thy Saviour's lips, "Well done!"

Mourner, weeping o'er the treasures that are mingling with the dust, Weeping o'er the withered blossoms, once committed to thy trust, Are thy fondest hopes all blighted, and thy pleasures turned to pain? Have thy earthly comforts vanished, never to return again? Look beyond Death's gloomy portals, look beyond the dreary tomb, To that land of bliss immortal, where thy fadeless flowers bloom. Jesus burst the bars asunder, death has triumphed all in vain; Cheer thee! thou shalt meet thy treasures, never more to part again!.

Christian, striving for an entrance to that city built above, To that holy habitation where Jehovah reigns in love, Do temptations oft surround thee, do obstructions darkly rise 'Twixt thee and the land of promise, where the holy city lies? Look beyond this world of trials, list the Saviour's cheering voice: "For my grace is all-sufficient, thou shalt in my strength rejoice." See the glory that is circling, round Mount Zion's holy brow; Christian, cheer thee! thou art nearing the Eternal City now.—L. C. in Advent Herald.