A Christian Teacher's Dream by Max Hill

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1912

A Christian Teacher's Dream

By Max Hill

MAX HILL

It rained; the wind blew damp and chill, so chill; The ever-dripping eaves, the muddy rill, The misty pane, so dreary to the eye; And over all hung low the leaden sky.

O weary, weary was the day, and long! 'Twas labor lost, for all my toil went wrong. So slowly dragged the burdened moments past From dull beginning to the weary last.

What weariness these mortal frames can know, And still the goading mind will make them go! What tax of patience can these bodies bear! What galling burdens lift! what weight of care!

But day was done at length. I plodded home, Wind-tossed, uncaring, like the drifted foam Upon the surging waves that beat and roar, And roll again, again, and o'er and o'er.

'Twas dark; the sodden, wheel-distorted street But waited to entrap my weary feet; And on before, beyond the cheerless gloom, No cozy home—'twas but a dismal room.

Exhausted, by my couch I fell at length, All gone my hope, all gone my faith and strength. “O God!” I cried, “the way I can not see; The burden is too great, too great for me.”

I slept and dreamed, and in my dream I saw God's awful judgment-room. With fear and awe, I sank with shame upon a cold, rough stone; With none to help, I sat and wept alone.

Not long alone, for soon the room was filled With hosts of people by that Presence stilled; But still far, far away I sat apart, An overwhelming burden on my heart.

My weariness and pain were on me still, Like weight of lead, so hopeless and so chill, And in my rain-damp, earthly dress so mean, I shrank far down and hoped to be unseen.

I gazed about me in a strange surprise, For there before my weary, tear-dimmed eyes I saw familiar forms around the throne,

Three companies were grouped about the hall, And solemn stillness hovered over all; But as I gazed, my heart sank in despair, For some I longed to see were missing there.

Some little ones I saw with parents stand; I gazed with joy upon the happy band. Did I not know the travail and the care That brought those families, unbroken, there?

Some parents stood without a single child. O, I could tell what enemy beguiled, What snares were laid to trap their children's feet! Sad-faced they stood, acknowledging defeat.

Some little ones were there who stood alone; No parents' hands had led them to the throne. Their days of struggle, too, I knew so well; What tales of galling trial they could tell!

The Judge was speaking. All was still, so still, And through my weary heart there went a thrill; For while no man my shrinking form could see, The Judge in speaking ever looked at me.

He called for those whose children with them stood. Such words of praise he spoke, so kind, so good! But while he spoke to them the words benign, His glorious eyes were looking into mine.

My heart stood still; could it be true that he Had meant those words of loving praise for me? For parents' hands supplied their every need; I did but teach those little ones to read.

They all passed on. And there before the throne I saw the childless company, alone; Care pressed each brow, the tears coursed down each cheek, And O, the words I heard my Saviour speak! “Where is thy flock, thy beauteous flock?” he said, And low with shame was hung each guilty head. “Where are the children that I gave to thee?” To them he spoke; his eyes were searching me. I would have answered, cried for mercy then: “Lord, let me have those little ones again; Let me their wayward feet the pathway teach;” But fear and guilt had sealed my lips from speech.

And they passed on. The Judge called to his feet The little ones alone; in accents sweet He blessed them all, and praised their faithfulness, And gave them golden crowns and spotless dress.

Once more he spoke; this time to me alone As I with them pressed near the splendid throne; Forgotten all the pain, the damp, the cold; That Presence made my fainting spirit bold.

And O, the loving words! His gentle voice Dispelled all fear, and made our hearts rejoice; And then the boys and girl about his knee He blessed again, and gave them all to me.