THE STARLESS CROWN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1809, 7 April 1888, Page 3

THE STARLESS CROWN

Wearied and worn with earthly cares, I yielded to repose, And soon before my raptured sight a glorious vision rose : I thought, whilst slumbering on my couoh m midnight's solemn gloom, I heard an angtl's silvery voioe, and radiance filled my rome. A gentle touoh awaken'd me, a gentle whisper said,

" Arise, 0 sleeper, follow me : " and thro' the air fled.

We left the earth so far away that like a speck it seem'd, And heavenly glory, calm and pure, across our pathway etreamed. Still on -we went— my aoul was wrapt m silent ecstaoy ; I wonder'd what the end would be, what next should meet mine eye. I knew not how we journey'd thro' the pathless fields of light,. When suddenly a change was wrought, and I was clothed m white. We stood before a city's walls most glorious to behold ; We paas'd thro' gates of glistening pearl, o'er Btreets of purest gold ; It needed not the sun by day, the silver moon by night ; The glory of the Lord was there, the Lamb Himself its light. Bright angels passed the shining streets, sweet music fill'd the air, And white robed saints, with glittering orowns, from every dime were there ; And some that I had loved on earth stood with them round the throne, II All worthy is the Lamb," they sang, " the glory His alone." But fairer far than all beside I saw my Saviour's face ; And as I gazed He smile i on me with wondrous love and grace. Lowly I bowed before His throne, o'erjoyed that I at last Had gain'd the objeot of my hopes ; that earth at length was past. And then m solemn tones He said, •« Where is the diadem 11 That ought to sparkle on thy brow — adorn'd with many a gem ? I " I know thou hast believed on Mo, and life through Me is thine, " But where are all those radiant stars that m thy crown should shine ? " Yonder thou seeet a glorious throng, and stars on every brow ; " For every soul they led to Me they wear a jewel now 1 " And such thy bright reward had been if such had been thy deed,, "If thou hadst so.ughi some wand'ring feet m paths of peace to lead. ?' I did not mean that thou should'st tread the path of life alone, " But that the clear and Binning light whioh ground thy footßtops Bhone, 11 Should guide some other weary feet to My bright home of rest, "And thus, m blessing those around, thou. hadst thyself been blest." * ♦ . * * ♦ The vision faded from my sight, the voice no longer spake, A spell seemed brooding o'er my soul, which long I fear'd to break ; Ajid when at last I gazed around m morning's glimmering light, My spirit fell o'erwbelmed beneath that vision's awfnl might. I rose and wept with chaston'd joy that yet I dwelt below, That yet another hour was mine my faith by works to show ; That yet some sinner I might tell of Jsbub' dying love* An& help to lead some weary soul to seek a home above. And now, while on the earth I stay, my motto this shall be, V To live no longer to myself, but Him who died for me I" And graven on my inmoßt soul tbiß word of truth divine, " They that turn many to the Lord brißht &b , | the stara shall shine."