POETRY. STEPS TO THE THRONE OF GOD.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 342, 13 February 1889, Page 6

POETRY. STEPS TO THE THRONE OF GOD.

(From Talks of Arahy.) The wise men of Medina oft disputed Of God, and death and time, And argued they with bitter \vords and anger Deeds of Iho Great Sublime. Ar.d one said--" God is but a great destroyer, With vengeance in His hand." "Nay," said another, " lie is kind and gracious If avo keep Ilis command ; "Ileshowshis favours to the brave and mighty, And gives them slaves ami gold, And if wo build him richly carved temples, Gifts of his love untold. ' And one said, " Ye-i, Ho is both groat and holy, Gi\ ing us special grace : And wo who know Him and obey His mandates Shall see Him faeo to face! 1 ' '•Fools " said Al Sure ; " Our God is not a mortal Whom we may know by name ; God is not angered when His holy splendours Flash round us tire and flame. " God is not gracious to the brave and mighty Savo when they're true and meek ; God gives no slaves, butthcSubluno is angered If we oppress the weak. "O fools ! to think the Beautiful ai.d Holy To ye would «how His face ! Nay ! not the angels ol the inner temple Receive so much of grace. '• Ye th'nk to reach by death the rest eternal, That j c are favour'd men ; Shall God reward so, our poor, aimless labours, Of threescore years and ten ? "Nay! not thicc score and ten, but countless ages fehall we as servants toil. Until periocled to the highest standard, We meet the Master's smile. ".Man cannot gucs-, and none shall sec the sp'en dour That wraps Ilis holy throne, Till wo ha\e finish 'd in each world of labour The work that must be done. " For there ere worlds, ay ! in as many millions As daisies on 'he sod ; And these bright stars, each fairer than th other, Are steps that lead to God ! "The soul of man throws off its poor, frail garment When it is soiled and torn, For God gives bodies siill more beautiful Each time we're newly born. "Thus, ever serving— s ill t rogressing onward— Faei step leads nearer Him, When we may see the shadow of His glory Guarded by Cherubim. " 0 friends !— O children of the Groat Eternal !— Though w c know not His name, He is the Holy— the Sublime Creator— For evermore the same." "W. R. Wills.