EASTER DAY.
I
The Morning dawns; the third approaching Day
Can only show the Place where Jesus lay.
Angels descend:—“Remember what He said!
He is not here, but risen from the dead:
‘Betray'd into the Hands of sinful Men,
The Son of Man must die, and rise again.’”
II
So sang the Prophets ever since the Fall;
Of Rites ordain'd the Meaning this thro' all.
This, by the various Sacrifice of old,
Memorial Type and Shadow, was foretold;
Even false worship, careless what it meant,
Gave to this Truth an ignorant Consent.
III
Christ is the Sum and Substance of the whole
That God has done or said to save a Soul,
To raise himself a Church; when that is done,
The World becomes the Kingdom of his Son,
An Heav'n restor'd to the redeem'd, the born
Of Him Who rose on this auspicious Morn.
IV
He That was dead, in order to restore,
Behold, He is alive for evermore,—
An heav'nly Adam, full empow'rd to give
The Life that Men were first designed to live;
Fountain of Life, come whosoever will
To quench his Thirst, and freely take his Fill!
V
Mankind in Him are Life's predestin'd Heirs,
His rising Glories the First-fruits of theirs.
Hearts that renounce the Slavery to Sin,
Feel of His Pow'r the living Warmth within,
Of strength'ning Faith, of joyous Hope possest
And Heav'n-producing Love within the Breast,—
VI
The Breast,—the Temple of the Holy Ghost,
When once enliven'd by this heav'nly Host.
His Resurrection, the sure Proof of ours,
Will there exert His Death-destroying Pow'rs;
Till all his Sons shall meet before His Throne
In glorious Bodies, fashion'd like His Own.
