"ETERNITY"

BEN. HAWORTH-BOOTH.

There is one Life—eternal, all-inclusive,
Upholding all things: and this Life is thine.
There is no life beside, and void, elusive
The vaporous hours of men. This Life divine
Folds thee forever in the fair sunshine
Of Love's sweet presence: every beast and flower
Sustains He, and outpours the crystal wine
Of Life on His creation every hour,
That all may learn to love the Donor through His dower.

There is one holy selfhood—His ideal—After the likeness seen upon the height,
Unknown to wrath, unknowing aught unreal,
Wearing a raiment ever glistening white—As none can white them here. Thy wakeful sight
Long time for this, athwart the lowering sea,
Has looked and longed—the visions of the night
Provide no angel visitor for thee!
Thou art thyself His son—the Son hath set thee free!

Then we are sons indeed! our faith new-born
Is Paradise new-found, a cloudless clime
Above the weltering waste of creeds outworn.
Each word of Truth in sermon, song, or rhyme
Is ours forever, till the end of time.
What thou hast made thine own to love, to learn,
Is part of thee, and part of the sublime.
This is the gift of God—so we discern
Eternity contains no dust-fed funeral urn!