128 



the hour of His coming, who shall awake all those who 

 sleep in him, and when, to borrow the beautiful language 

 of inspiration, the groaning creation " shall be delivered 

 from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty 

 of the children of God." * 



When the Holy One, the Glorious One, returns in might and power, 

 And the long-oppressed world emerges, from out her darksome hour ; 

 Her darksome hour of grief, and death, and bitter pain, 

 When the Holy One, the Blessed One, returns to earth again. 



Where the hosts of Satan trod, bright angels shall descend, 

 And loved ones, and vanished ones, their steps shall hither wend. 

 They come from the silent land, where they have waited long, 

 And sweet as mortals never heard shall be their choral song. 



We too shall sing with them, for the curse shall pass away, 

 And earth look brighter far than on her natal day, 

 When the Lord for whom we waited in glory comes to reign, 

 And many whom we dearly loved do follow in his train. M. JR. 



* Rom. viii. 21. 



