1 I saw again. Behold! Heaven’s open door,
Behold! a throne—the seraphim stood o’er it—
The white-robed elders fell upon the floor,
And flung their crowns before it.
2 I saw a wondrous book—an angel strong
To Heaven and earth proclaimed his loud appeals—
But a hush passed across the seraph’s song,
For none might loose the seals.
3 Then, fast as rain to death cry of the year,
Tears of St. John to that sad cry were given;
It was a wondrous thing to see a tear
Fall on the floor of Heaven!
4 And a sweet voice said, "Weep not, wherefore fails
Eagle of God, thy heart, the high and leal?
The Lion out of Judah’s tribe prevails
To loose the seven-fold seal."
5 ’Twas Israel’s voice; and straightway, up above,
Stood in the midst a wondrous Lamb, snow white,
Heart-wounded with the deep sweet wounds of love,
Eternal, infinite.
6 Then rose the song no ear had heard before;
Then from the white-robed throng high anthem woke;
And fast as spring-tide on the sealess shore
The hallelujahs broke.
7 Who dreams of God when passionate youth is high,
When first life’s weary waste his feet have trod—
Who seeth angels’ footfalls in the sky,
Working the works of God,
8 His sun shall fade as gently as it rose,
Thro’ the dark woof of death’s approaching night
His faith shall shoot, at life’s prophetic close,
Some threads of golden light.
9 For him the silver ladder shall be set—
His Savior shall receive his latest breath—
He walketh to a fadeless coronet
Up thro’ the gate of death.
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #10573
Alexander, William Lindsay , DD. LL.D., of Pinkieburn, Musselburgh, son of William Alexander, Esq., Leith, born in the vicinity of Leith, August 24, 1808. After studying at the Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrew's, he became, in 1828, Classical Tutor in what is now The Lancashire College. After studying for some time at Halle, he, in 1835, became minister of North College St. Congregational Church, Edinburgh, removing with his congregation in 1861 to a new church in George IV. Bridge, called the Augustine Church, and retired from the pastoral charge of the same in 1877. He died at Pinkieburn, Dec. 20, 1884. He was, from 1854 to 1881, Professor in the Scottish Congregational Hall. In 1846 he received the degree of D.D. from the Univers… Go to person page >
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