Poems and Short Features

A World Subject to Angels

Several scriptures seem to throw light on God’s dealings during that first dispensation, and we think give a further and clearer insight into his plan and purpose as a whole. The thought suggested by these is, that the first world (the dispensation before the flood) was under the supervision and special ministration of the angels; that these were man’s governors and overseers commissioned to communicate God’s will and to rule over the fallen and degenerating race, which, because of sin, needed this government.

That angels were the rulers of that epoch is not only indicated by all references to that period, but may be reasonably inferred from the Apostle’s remark when contrasting the present dispensation with the past and the future. He endeavors to show both the righteousness and the enduring character of the future rulership of the world, saying, “The world to come hath he not put in subjection to the angels.” No, it is put under the control of Jesus and his joint-heirs, and hence it shall not only be more righteous than the present rule of Satan, but it shall be more successful than was the previous rule by the angels.—See Heb. 2:2,5.

—Reprints, p. 1677

The Glorious Day

The night is spent, the morning ray
Comes ush’ring in the glorious day,
       The promised time of rest.
Hark! ’tis the trumpet sounding clear;
Its joyful notes burst on the ear,
        Proclaiming tidings blest.

The harvest of the earth is ripe;
The dead who sleep in Christ awake
        In likeness of their Lord.
To life immortal they arise,
Inheritors of Paradise,
        Where death finds no abode.

Stupendous scene! Those men of old,
Prophets who have the story told
        Of this transcendent day;
The patriarchs, apostles, too,
Who lived and died with this in view,
        In glorious array.

Now entered into their reward,
Those faithful servants of the Lord
        Have not served him in vain;
A band of heaven’s royalty,
In glory and in majesty,
        O’er all the earth they reign.

—Hymns of Dawn, #289

 

A Cup of Cold Water

The Lord of the Harvest walked forth one day,
   Where the fields were white with the ripening wheat,
Where those He had sent in the early morn
   Were reaping the grain in the noonday heat.
He had chosen a place for every one,
And bidden them work till the day was done.

Apart from the others, with troubled voice,
   Spake one who had gathered no golden grain:
“The Master hath given no work to me,
   And my coming hither hath been in vain;
The reapers with gladness and song will come,
But no sheaves will be mine in the harvest home.”

He heard the complaint, and He called her name:
   “Dear child, why standest thou idle here?
Go fill the cup from the hillside stream,
   And bring it to those who are toiling near;
I will bless thy labor, and it shall be
Kept in remembrance as done for Me.”

’Twas a little service, but grateful hearts
   Thanked God for the water so cold and clear;
And some who were fainting with thirst and heat,
   Went forth with new strength to the work so dear;
And many a weary soul looked up,
Revived and cheered by the little cup.

—Poems of Dawn, pp. 161, 162    

 

The Chart of the Ages

Upon the inside of this number you will find a copy of the Chart of the Ages, such as we once had mounted upon rollers, the supply of which has for some time been exhausted, preventing us from filling many applications received. We take this method of placing it in the hands of all our readers
We trust that it may have a two-fold effect: first, that you may be blessed by a fresh examination of the chart and its lessons. … Secondly, we hope that being quickened and refreshed by a clear view of our Father’s plan, you may be stimulated as well as enabled, to explain the plan to others, illustrating it by the chart. Thus, no matter how simply you tell it, you can preach the “good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.” The chart will not only interest and hold the attention of your thoughtful neighbor, but will make the truth the more easy of comprehension. Thus many can let their light so shine as to honor their Heavenly Father, as well as to bless and refresh their neighbors and friends.
—Reprints, p. 868