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The Soul's Invitation
Come, and enter Heaven, O soul!
Bring the riches thou hast gained,
Wealth and honors, bring the whole
For which thou such toils sustained;
Thou hast titles, houses, lands;
Costly robes the body wore;
All the busy, toiling hands
Have laid up for thee in store.
Bring the riches thou hast gained,
Wealth and honors, bring the whole
For which thou such toils sustained;
Thou hast titles, houses, lands;
310
All the busy, toiling hands
Have laid up for thee in store.
The Soul's Answer
What are all these things to me,
Now that I would upward soar?
Boundless wealth on land and sea,
I can never need it more.
What are honors, what is power
Man on man doth here bestow?
They are his but for an hour,
He must leave them here below.
What are all these things to me,
Now that I would upward soar?
Boundless wealth on land and sea,
I can never need it more.
What are honors, what is power
Man on man doth here bestow?
They are his but for an hour,
He must leave them here below.
Not with these can I ascend,
And amidst heaven's light appear;
They nor joy, nor grace can lend
In that higher, holier sphere.
Nay, they ever draw me down
To the dark and sinful earth;
I forget the glorious crown,
And my higher, heavenly birth.
And amidst heaven's light appear;
They nor joy, nor grace can lend
In that higher, holier sphere.
Nay, they ever draw me down
To the dark and sinful earth;
I forget the glorious crown,
And my higher, heavenly birth.
Not in these I put my trust,
But in Him who died to save;
They are now but glittering dust,
Spoils and trophies of the grave!
In the knowledge of my Lord,
In the love that He has shown,
In the keeping of His word,
In these things, and these alone
Trusting, I am not ashamed;
And in heaven may enter in;
For the Lord my name has named,
And has made me free from sin.
But in Him who died to save;
They are now but glittering dust,
Spoils and trophies of the grave!
In the knowledge of my Lord,
In the love that He has shown,
In the keeping of His word,
In these things, and these alone
Trusting, I am not ashamed;
And in heaven may enter in;
For the Lord my name has named,
And has made me free from sin.
Poem No. 89; c. 24 April 1858
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