Home Here, and Home in Heaven; With Other Poems

THE REWARD IN HEAVEN

O, Wanderer o’er life’s stormy main,
Who here an exile roam,
O, where is the harbor for thee to gain,
Where peace and happiness e’er remain,
O where, tell me where, is thy Home?
Where thy bark, no more by tempests driven,
Shall anchor where skies are clear-
A sweeter tone to his voice was given,
As he gently answering, said, in Heaven-
‘Tis there-but never here. HHHH 67.1

O, Pilgrim through this vale of tears,
By care and woe oppressed;
Beset with anxious doubts and fears,
Where no reposing from toil appears,
O where, tell me where, is thy rest?
Where the heart no more is sad and riven,
Or weary, with sorrow and fear-
A brighter light to his eye was given,
As he upward gazing, said, in Heaven-
‘Tis there-but never here. HHHH 67.2

O, Christian in this world of woe,
Where pain and sin alloy;
Who a lonely pathway treat below,
And the scorn and frown of the wicked know,
O where, tell me where, is thy Joy?
That may not fade as the hues of even,
And nothing be left to cheer-
A kindlier glow to his brow was given,
As he sweetly smiling, said, in Heaven-
‘Tis there-but never here. HHHH 68.1

O then for that better land I sigh-
That land where all is fair;
Where tears shall be wiped from every eye,
And the saints shall lay their armor by,
A crown of glory to wear.
I fain would leave these shades of even,
On this dreary and desolate shore-
For a foretaste sweet to my soul is given,
Of the Home, the Rest, and the Joy in heaven-
When we meet to part no more. HHHH 68.2