p. 8 | Marah and Elim by H. Bonar

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 22, 1909

Marah and Elim

By H. Bonar

To-day ’tis Elim with its palms and wells, And happy shade for desert weariness; ’Twas Marah yesterday, all rock and sand, Unshaded solitude and dreariness.

Yet the same desert holds them both, the same Hot breezes wander o’er the lonely ground; The same low stretch of valley shelters both, And the same mountains compass them around.

So it is here with us on earth, and so I do remember it has ever been; The bitter and the sweet, the grief and joy, Lie near together, but a day between.

Sometimes God turns our bitter into sweet, Sometimes he gives us pleasant water-springs; Sometimes he shades us with his pillar-cloud, And sometimes to a blessed palm-shade brings.

What matters it? The time will not be long; Marah and Elim will alike be passed; Our desert wells and palms will soon be done, We reach the “City of our God” at last.

O happy land! beyond these lonely hills, Where gush in joy the everlasting springs; O holy paradise! above these heavens, Where we shall end our desert wanderings. — H. Bonar.