Chapter I

Old things have passed away, all now are new;
Its measure of creation Earth has filled;
The law of a celestial kingdom it
Has kept, transgressed not the law;
Yea, notwithstanding it has died, it has
Been quickened once again; and it abides
The power by which that quick'ning has been done.
Wherefore, it now is sanctified from all
Unrighteousness, and crowned with glory, e'en
The presence of the Father and the Son.

Immortal Earth on wings of glory rolls,
Shines like unto a crystal sea of glass
And fire, whereon all things are manifest:
Past, present, future,--all are clear to those
Who live upon this glorious orb of God.

Upon this globe, God's children glorified
Are no more strangers, wand'ring to and fro
As weary pilgrims; now they have received
Possessions everlasting on the Earth--
A portion of a glorified domain
On which to build and multiply and spread--
A part of Earth to call always their own.
Eternal mansions may they now erect:

Make them of whatsoe'er their hearts' desire;
For gold and silver, precious stones and woods,
And fabrics rare, and stuffs of every hue,
All plentiful in Nature's store-house lie,
For them to freely draw upon and use.
Masters of all the elements are they;
And Nature's forces are at their command.

The man and woman, in the Lord made one,
Eternally are wedded man and wife.
These now together make their plans, and build
A lovely, spacious home wherein to dwell,
A place for work, for rest, for new-found joys,
A peaceful habitation, one beyond
The power of evil ever to destroy.