SCENES OF THE BIBLE by L. D. Santee

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 10, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 24

SCENES OF THE BIBLE.

By L. D. Santee

BY ELD. L. D. SANTEE.

The word of God! it hath the power to waken Strong yearnings, like the sailors for the shore; How does it thrill our hearts with figures taken From that bright world where sin is known no more!

How sweet compared with this world's toils and failings, Its tears and death, its mystery and crime, Its sadness like some broken harps wild wailing, Its mourners weeping where the death-bells chime!

But turn we from the worn earth's troubled story To see through prophet's pen those mansions fair, To look with raptured eye on scenes of glory, To list, with ear entranced, Heaven's music rare.

We see warm hues of endless summers coming; We see our loved, we catch the long-hushed tone; We see glad ripples o'er life's river running,— That crystal river flowing 'neath the throne.

Our wants unsatisfied, our spirits pining, Are gone for aye, no more to come to mind; But like some gorgeous cloud with no dark lining, We, with the blessed, endless joy shall find.

Not all the fancies of the soul in dreaming, Can bring to mind such living pictures bright As endless day through Heaven's arches gleaming, That radiant glory with the Lamb its light.

O'er dome, and minaret, and fluted column, And streets of gold, a softened glory lies; While white-robed angels, with their faces solemn, Bathe in the silvery dews of Paradise.

So do we prize the book whose thrilling story Unveils those joys unseen to eyes of men; Sweeter than tales of earthly love and glory, Sweeter than tongue e'er told, e'er wrote by pen.

Humbly and thankfully we bear life's sorrow, Glad for that home the blessed ones await, Hoping and longing for that glorious morrow When Christ shall open wide the pearly gate.