Classic Poem

" A cloud received him out of sight," —
Even so; and then men knew no more
The human presence warm and bright,
As he had walked the earth before;

The preacher of the mountain-side,
Teaching the kingdom's reign within,
Strong in rebuke of hardened pride,
Yet pitiful of conscious sin:

But sceptered now, and throned afar,
They watched in dread his swift return,
To see before his judgment bar
The earth dissolve and heavens burn.

The gathered clouds of centuries lift;
No king in wrath descends to reign,
Yet king-like through the shining rift
The Man of Nazareth comes again.

O Friend and Brother, draw more near
The while thy festival we keep;
Diviner shall our lives appear
Held fast in thy high fellowship.