The seraphs—they are men of kindly mien;
The gems and robes—but signs Of minds all radiant and of hearts washed clean;
The glory—such as shines Wherever faith or hope or love is seen.
And he, O doubting child! the Lord of grace
Whom thou didst fear to see— He knows thy sin—but look upon his face!
Doth it not shine on thee With a great light of love that fills the place?
O happy soul, be thankful now and rest!
Heaven is a goodly land; And God is love; and those he loves are blest;—
Now thou dost understand; The least thou hast is better than the best
That thou didst hope for; now upon thine eyes
The new life opens fair; Before thy feet the Blessed journey lies
Through homelands everywhere; And heaven to thee is all a sweet surprise.
WASHINGTON GLADDEN.
BEYOND THE SMILING AND THE WEEPING.
Beyond the smiling and the weeping
I shall be soon; Beyond the waking and the sleeping,
Beyond the sowing and the reaping,
I shall be soon. Love, rest, and home! Sweet hope! Lord, tarry not, but come.
Beyond the blooming and the fading
I shall be soon; Beyond the shining and the shading,
Beyond the hoping and the dreading,
I shall be soon. Love, rest, and home! etc.
Beyond the rising and the setting
I shall be soon; Beyond the calming and the fretting,
Beyond remembering and forgetting,
I shall be soon. Love, rest, and home! etc.