A day will come of storm, and fire, and tempest, and convulsion, when earth and heaven shall mingle and be rolled up as a scroll and pass away. But in that day what will such have to fear? Amidst all the convulsed worlds the redeemed will rest tranquil as the infant in the storm on its mother's breast. For amidst it all their eyes will rest on the Face which was bowed in death to save them, and will know no fear. It will be, "Thou and I, and Thou art love!" for ever.
Autumn was on the earth
When Summer came to me,
The Summer in the soul,
And set the life-springs free.
Darkness was on my life,
A heavy weight of night,
When the Sun arose within,
And filled my heart with light.
Ice lay upon my heart,
Ice-fetters still and strong,
When the living spring gushed forth
And filled my soul with song.
That Summer shall not fade,
That Sun it setteth never;
The Fountain in my heart
Springs full and fresh for ever.
Since I have learned Thy love,
My Summer, Lord, Thou art;
Summer to me, and Day,
And life springs in my heart.
Since I have learned thou art,
thou livest, and art Love,
Art Love, and lovest me—
Fearless I look above!
Thy blood can cleanse from sin,
Thy love casts out my fear;
Heaven is no longer far,
Since Thou, its Sun, art near.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] Suggested by a passage in Sartorius' "Lehre von der heiligen Liebe," contrasting the world, "Ich und Nicht Ich," with the Christian's world, "Ich und Du."