O heavenly gift! The key of knowledge Restored to man, the mystery unfolds Of God's elect--their final destiny. You are here because your Father loved you; Because in Heaven ye kept your first estate, And firm remained when angels did rebel, And Lucifer drew a third of Heaven's host From God; and with them sunk in dark despair. You are here for further proof and trial;-- For a second estate; which if ye keep As ye did the first, will purify your souls, And fit you for a Heaven celestial. You came to the earth to be born of flesh, To fashion and perfect your earthly house,-- To live, to love, to suffer and to die,-- To rise and reign in immortality. To form your kindred ties with kindred souls,-- To blend your sympathies by mutual acts Of kindly charity:-- To love and serve Each other in ten thousand nameless ways; And thus give exercise to mutual love, And qualify yourselves for union endless In that world of bliss. O ye beings of noble birth! ye lambs Of celestial origin, to Zion bound! I know ye now; and knowing, can but love. O my Father in heaven? Thine they were, And Thou gavest them to me:--Precious gifts! Endear'd by long acquaintance in the heavens, By the soul's best affections on the earth, By mutual love and sympathy of soul, By all the kindred ties which twine around The heart in sacred, inexpressible Delight--Made nigh by a Savior's blood:-- Seal'd by the Holy Ghost, and secur'd By the spirit and power of Elijah-- By which the hearts of the fathers are turn'd To the children: Enliven'd by the hope Of endless union in that world of life Where all is pure:-- Thrones, principalities, Powers, majesty, might and dominion, As a mutual reward! Who can but love? O precious kindred! my loveliest, best! Are motives wanting still to prompt my love, And kindle my soul's affection to its Highest, purest flame? sweet memory dwells On all the past--Your sufferings with me; Your sacrifices for the Gospel's sake. For _me_ and truth you gladly left your home, Your native clime, your father, mother, and friends, And kindred dear, and wandered far away O'er mountain, seas, and continents. The wide Expanse of ocean--its waves and tempests Could not quench your love, or cool your courage:-- Towering mountains rose before you; rivers Intervened to check you on your journey-- Wide lakes, gloomy forests, and desert plains Forbid your further progress, but in vain. Truth was the prize you sought; and love impell'd You onward. These overcome, a host Of fiends assailed you next, with lying tongues To flatter, frown, to pity or deceive; To coax, or drive you from your chosen course.