A World Redeemed

This world is but the shadow     Of the world that is to be,     A ripple on the surface     Of a deep, unfathomed sea.     God's plans are always perfect,     But long ages intervene     From the planning of the temple     To the glow upon its sheen;     But we can be co-workers     In accomplishing his plan;     For in God's purpose is a place     For every son of man.     The germ may be developed     In a more salubrious clime,     All obstacles surmounted     In the onward march of time,     And nature's forces harnessed     Will their destiny fulfil,     And things now deemed supernal     Respond to human will;     For God has so adjusted     The laws of this earthly sphere,     That by man's help his plans unfold,     And order doth appear.     The words of God's own prophets     Concerning these latter days     Of mighty transformations,     To our great Redeemer's praise;     When wastes shall glow in beauty,     And the savage beast be kind,     Though they have prior fulfilment     In the realm of soul and mind;     Will then be more than figure,     Though that we all count sublime;     The earth will wear its regal robes     In every land and clime.     This life is but a sample     Of the life that is to be;     There we know the perfect lesson,     Here we learn the a--b--c;     And the life beyond is fashioned     By the thoughts and deeds of this;     Fitting it for realms of darkness,     Or for never-ending bliss;     For those alone will sorrow     Who receive His grace in vain,     But those who wrought with God will prove     That godliness is gain.