To that most pure and perfect state of bliss

Man by transgression lost?—the noble thought

Of claiming kindred with the skies, give birth

To no anticipations of delight—

Joys such as angels share, and saints, who dwell

Within the circle of Jehovah's throne?

A light is breaking on my mental eye;

Visions of glory in succession rise

And fill the airy palace of the soul.

I see afar the promised land. An arch

Of golden radiance canopies the gates

Of that celestial city—Beautiful!

Unbuilt by hands—the New Jerusalem—

And holy to the Lord; the happy home

Of pilgrims, who to reach that heavenly shrine

Sojourned as strangers on this goodly earth,

Counting all things but loss—yea, life itself—

To win an entrance through those gates of pearl,

And dwell within the temple of their God!

[Pg 21]

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