THE OLD AND THE NEW

THE OLD AND THE NEW

I stopped and pondered recently

When driving down the street.

I saw a vacant, lonely spot

Where oft we used to meet:

A yawning crater in the earth,

And in my heart was pain.

That dedicated House Of God,

I ne'er would see again.

The roof was gone, the pews removed,

The walls demolished too;

And I was told, “Of necessity,

To make way for the new”.

The Baptistry I did not see,

It too was gone from sight;

That holy place where hungry souls

Have seen the “Sacred Light”.

Thousands there were and penitent,

And humbly asked in prayer

For waters’ healing, soothing balm

To make them clean, prepare

For bliss eternal with the Lord

When earthly life was done.

'Twas there they found enduring peace,

A glorious vict’ry won.

The voices raised in songs of praise,

Souls filled with joy sublime;

Secure and strong, undoubting faith,

Hearts beat in perfect rhyme.

And taking up the Christian^'s Cross

Meant responsibility;

Yet, faced the future unafraid

With deep humility.

Now, we are left with memories,

Mem’ries that bless and burn.

We often dream of our yesterdays,

And 'though they’ll ne’er return

We’ve present hopes, inspirations strong

To blaze a clearer trail.

To chart the course of accomplishment -

In truth we can not fail

For if we hold fast to the hand

Of the Immortal One;

In constancy with faith and trust

Until the day is done:

He’ll, crown our efforts, bless our lives,

In faith we’ll surely know

That He’ll go with us all the way,

Wherever we may go.

The old is passed, but is not gone.

It points to greater goals

Where working, striving side by side

We strengthen precious souls

To greater courage, stronger faith,

And know that He’ll endue

With blessings sweet forevermore.

The O L D blend with the N E W.

H. B. A u s t i n

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