FAR, far beyond the circuit of this world, On which we so mysteriously exist, And high above those planetary spheres Which science strives in vain to penetrate, We learn, by words pertaining to have come From God-inspired men, there lies a realm, The bright effulgence of whose radiant shores No mortal eye could look upon and live. This wondrous world, 'tis said, revolves in light, Around its centre of eternal love, Wherein is fixed the everlasting throne Of the omniscient, self-existing God; And, veiled in glory with the Father sits The Son beloved,—our present reigning King; While bright cherubic legions hover round On starry pinions, bearing glorious palms Of victory, and harps attuned to love, With golden strains of never-ending joy. There, glowing, too, in sweet refulgent light, The gems of all the Christian graces shine Resplendent in the crowns of angels bright, And sparkling in the wreaths their brows entwine. No suns are needed there, with orient beams, To light that world of never-ending day; The glory of the Father's presence sheds Illuminating splendor everywhere, And forms the radiance of Eternity. No human eye has e'er beheld that world! The weak capacity of human sight Could not endure the deep intensity Of glory that pervades those radiant spheres; Not even those upon whose holy minds The power of inspiration was bestowed, Could look upon the light of love revealed, Though sheltered by the consecrated cloud That even veiled their excellence divine, When God held converse with the sons of men. And yet we are assured by Holy Writ That these were purposely prepared For the reception of the souls of men, Ere yet the word had been pronounced that called Those atoms from the wild chaotic deep, Of which was formed this vast material world, Or man of dust was made a living soul. Yes, this stupendous heaven, frail man, was made, With all its radiant light, for thine abode. And though thy weakened senses now may shrink, Awed by the purity and splendor bright Of these transcendent scenes, the very name Of which seems word too holy for thy lips; And though with trembling heart thou standest far,— Oppressed with fears of thy unworthiness, And scarcely able e'en to lift thine eyes To that pure place where never sin was known; And, with the lowly publican of old, Can only whisper,—"Lord, be merciful!" Yet thou shalt taste the pleasures of that world, With all the kindred families of earth, When weakness has been overcome by strength, And this corruptible and sinful clay, That holds the struggling spirit in its coils, Shall, by the power of God, have been renewed, And mortal changed to immortality. When all the prophecies of Gospel truth Shall be, on earth, to the last mite fulfilled, And Heaven's high purposes completed all, Then every eye shall see that burnished throne, And Him who sits thereon in glory now; And every ear shall hear those strains of joy That now are hymned in that celestial choir; And, with the angels, happified and blest, Join in ascriptions of exalted praise To Him who once left his imperial seat, And condescended to assume the garb Of fleshly nature, that he might redeem And bring to heaven the fallen race of man. Oh, happy thought! how fills the grateful soul With glad rejoicing, as the hope expands Within the heart, and Faith's low murmuring voice Comes stealing through the chambers of the ear. In sweet support of all this promised bliss, She whispers: "God hath promised to set free The whole creation, and deliver all From the bondage of corruption, and to be The plague and overthrow of Death's dark thrall." But the great temple being now upreared Within the holy presence of the Lamb, Whose founder and foundation is the great I Am— The mighty Architect above—must be Completed ere this glorious hour arrives. When He receives the kingdom to himself, From those dear hands that hold the sceptre now, This living temple, formed of lively stones, With not one missing in the structure high, Shall stand forever on the Mount of God, A monument of grace and love divine; And, radiant 'mid the precious gems that glow And sparkle in imperial lustre there, Shall blaze those living stars of martyred love, The brightest jewels in the fabric fair; And, blazoned on the pearly gates of truth, Their names shall be inscribed along with His Whose precious blood so graciously once flowed From Calvary's cross in sweet atoning streams That washed away earth's sins, and brought to life The knowledge of the resurrective power, Through which the whole creation, e'en though dead, Shall live and see the glory that shall be Revealed from Him, and on the nations shed In all the Radiance of Eternity.
