The earth and all that therein is shall pass away,
But God's pure Word shall live and stand for aye and aye:
Man runs his race of life, then, passing from the scene,
Returns to dust, and is as though he ne'er had been—
This is not spoken of the inner man, the soul—
This, says the Word, shall live while ceaseless ages roll.
The city with its walls and towers of granite stone,
Shall be to dissolution brought by rain and sun;
The ships which round the world on crested wave have flown.
Go down amid the storm, and never more are known;