Already has thine opening eye caught vision
Of things more real, of gladness more profound,
When, through the rupture of this earth's relations,
The voice of God and truth has uttered sound.
Then bend thy gaze to the predestined future,
Anticipate the life that draweth nigh;
Awake, my soul, and contemplate the portion
Of those whose lot is fixed with Christ on high.
Think of the seed that bloometh into flower;
Think of the thought that shapes itself in deed;
Think of the chaos ordered into beauty;
Think of the Child that for the world did bleed.
Mark what portentous prophecies of power
All these suggest as thine intended goal,
When day, now breaking, shall at last be entered
And the grand promise shall itself unroll.
Soul! let the voice of Christ, thy sure Forerunner,
Summon thee now into the heavenly life.
Soon shall the brightness of the day flow o'er thee,
Soon peace shall end thy bitter earthly strife.
Thine are these mansions; thine the Father's bosom;
Thine the high paths that sinless feet have trod.
Thine is to be the light that faileth never,
The endless life of fellowship with God.
December 29, 1895.
THE TEACHER AND PASTOR.