One Day by Ira E. Sherman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · June 17, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 25

One Day

By Ira E. Sherman

Another day—one day; And that is all; A gift from Heaven sent down; Men deem it small. The great sun rose, to bring another day; Earth traveled far, and in no idle way, That man might have, of life, another day. All worlds, all suns, all spheres, All seasons, months, and years Bring tribute, as to kings Are brought rich offerings The wealth of ages—story, precept, rhyme— Are gifts of thee, thou latest son of Time.

It comes for good—one day— For highest good; And for it man should pay Real gratitude. Days do not last; and this day, crowned the best, Full soon will fade and softly sink to rest In the rich chambers of the glowing west; And all the wealth it brings Is yours and mine. Proud kings Would lay their crowns in dust, And let them idly rust, If, when once past, the sacrifice would bring One misspent day for one unhappy king.

It bringeth food—one day— And houses, lands. It giveth eyes to see, And willing hands, And ears to hear, and friends, and loving words, And sun and shade, and flocks and lowing herds, And fruits and flowers, and song of many birds; It lights up all the hills, And deepest valleys fills With life, and light, and air. It sends good everywhere. It lifts the ocean, with a loving hand, And drops its waters on the thirsty land.

It opens doors—one day— Doors swinging wide As human life can reach, Or human pride Can well desire. The realm of Thought is there, A mighty kingdom, stretching wide and far Beyond the light of moon, or sun, or star. It opens this to thee, Not as a mystery; But something real, and fair As costly temples are, Built by great masters, with a faith sublime That Art, like Thought, outlasts the touch of Time.

It giveth wings—one day— Wings for the soul To speed its flight-away From pole to pole; To girdle earth, and still unwearied rise To greater heights, in clearer, fairer skies, Until are seen the gates of Paradise. Most holy, holy day! Bow down, O Soul, and pray, The spot where thou dost stand Is hallowed, and God's hand Alone can guide thee through a single day. Bow down, O Soul, and for this guidance pray.

—Ira E. Sherman, in Independent.