In Sight of the Crystal Sea

Verse 1

I sat alone with life’s memories In sight of the crystal sea, And I saw the throne of the star-crown’d ones, With never a crown for me; And then the voice of the Judge said, come, Of the Judge on the great white throne; And I saw the star-crown’d take their seats, But none could I call my own.

Verse 2

I thought me then of my childhood days, The prayer at my mother’s knee: Of the counsels grave that my Father gave— The wrath I was warned to flee; I said, “Is it then too late, too late, Shut without must I stand for aye?” And the Judge, will He say, “I know you not,” Howe’er I may knock and pray.

Verse 3

I thought I thought of the days of God I’d wasted in folly and sin— Of the times I’d mock’d when the Saviour knocked, And I would not let Him in; I thought, I thought of the vows I’d made, When I lay at death’s dark door— “Would He spare my life, I’d give up the strife, And serve Him forevermore.

Verse 4

I heard a voice, like the voice of God: Remember, remember, my Son! Remember thy ways in the former days, The crown that thou might have won!” I thought, I thought, and my tho’ts ran on, Like the tide of a sunless sea— “Am I living or dead?” to myself I said “An end is there ne’er to be.”

Verse 5

It seemed as tho’ I woke from a dream, How sweet was the light of day! Melodious sounded the Sabbath bells From towers that were far away, I then became as a child, And I wept afresh; For the Lord had taken my heart of stone, And given a heart of flesh.

Verse 6

Still oft I sit with life’s memories, And I think of the crystal sea; And I see the thrones of star-crown’d ones, I know there’s a crown for me; And when the voice of the Judge says, come, Of the Judge on the great white throne, I know ‘mid the thrones of the star-crown’d ones, There’s one I shall call my own.