SABBATH CHIMES.
By PHEBE A. HOLDER.
O’er the city’s restless surges,
Heaving like the ocean tide,
Steals the night with hush of silence,
And the waves of toil subside.
Noiseless drops the soft, dark curtain,
While the mighty throbbings cease,
Starry eyes watch o’er the city
Sleeping in the depths of peace.
Comes the morning fair and radiant,
Bathed in sunshine—breathing balm,
Heaven’s blue dome a benediction,
With its pure, unspotted calm,
Like Jerusalem, the golden,
Coming down to earth from heaven,
Clad in robes of bridal beauty
Seems this morn the Lord has given.
As I tread the streets, still peaceful,
Turning to the house of God,
Drinking in this wondrous beauty,
And this glory of the Lord,
Through the crystal air of morning
Ring the bells with mellow chime,
In a strain of sweetest music,
Hallowed as the Sabbath time.
Like the songs I heard in childhood,
Or a sainted mother’s psalm,
Fell those chimes upon my spirit
With a holy, restful calm.
Like the tones of angel voices,
Sounding from seraphic choir,
Seemed this call our God to worship
In this holy house of prayer.
Still entranced I paused to listen
To the chiming, silvery, clear—
When the thrilling strain had ended
Yet I waited—fixed to hear;
While upon my listening spirit
Came a sense unfelt before,
Of our Lord’s most precious blessing
In the Sabbath’s holy power.
Coming like a guest from heaven
To our earthly, toil-worn lives,
A sweet influence, pure, uplifting,
To our struggling souls it gives.
Pointing with prophetic finger
To the perfect Sabbath rest
In the fair, Celestial City
Of the sainted and the blest,—
As with angel voice it calls us,
Now to seek that home of light
Where the gates of pearl shall open
To the pure with garments white.
Day beloved! thy blessed service
In the temple of our God,
Draws us nearer—ever nearer,
To our glorious, risen Lord.
Still that soft and mellow cadence
Lingers like a sacred charm,
Resting on my waiting spirit
With a touch of heavenly calm.
Like a sweet-toned voice still calling
From our home that is to be,
While from out its unseen glory
Floats celestial harmony.
