Wayside Thoughts, by a Christian Pilgrim (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863. Excerpt: ... LXVIII. EARTH'S PRESENT WINTER. Whence into being sprang this world of ours? Was it not winter heretofore? Earth's powers Seeming to angel's eye as though concealed, Its life and action, as it were, congealed, Till some warm influence called them into birth, And into vigour forced a new regenerate earth? Earth's future known, no chilling wintry blast Shall o'er its glorious face a cloud-shade cast; Eternal spring with its expanding force Shall brightly manifest its living source, Or everlasting summer gladly prove The power that sustains it to be perfect love. One winter then is gone; that chaos-scene, Which in a past Eternity has been, Well may be called a winter; not a ray Of sunlight nourishing a hope of day; Dull, cheerless," ray-less ages, yet the mould Whence All-creative powers ere long should earth unfold. Germ of all earthly life was perfect there, For Hand of God was moving everywhere: Each beauty clear to His All-seeing Eye, Who puts His limit to infinity; Let Him but speak, creative powers bring O'er all that chaos-scene an universal Spring. And who shall tell how gloriously bright Earth shone when He proclaimed, "Let there be light?" How started into being all the mass From birth to fulness that is made to pass 'Twas Spring-time perfect, while each new-formed age For growth of fresh perfections was the fitting stage. Then God beheld it, and "'Twas very good," For all creation in its order stood; Age gave to age the key-note of its praise As morn with even perfected the days; Thus teeming earth unconsciously advanced And glided into Summer with its powers enhanced. Luxuriant Summer How thy bosom swells Each varied depth explored so plainly tells; 'Tis written on the stones by Hand unseen--How vast, how glorious thy wealth has been; The tenan...