JORDAN

G. A. Brown

The Jordan’s swollen waters rose

To unaccustomed_ height;

Their all o’erpowering torrents flowed

With terrifying might.

The days of harvest were at hand,

The hallowed people stood

Expectant of Jehovah’s word

Before that mighty flood.

But see! the priest-borne ark appears—

Before its onward course,

The waters flee, are driven back

By its superior force!

The people pass triumphantly,

The promised land is nigh.

No trace of Jordan soils their feet

The river-bed is dry!

 

* * * * *

Nigh fifteen centuries have rolled,

A mightier Jordan flows;

The Lord of life Himself has come

To face the king of foes.

He takes the cup unflinchingly

As from His Father giv’n,

Goes into death to break its power

And ope’ the door of heav’n.

That awful power is overthrown

With him who had its might,

And we now share the portion blest

Of saints in purest light.

Oh, what a harvest-day is this!

Complete the heavenly race

That stands in Christ on heavenly ground

Before His Father’s face!

 

* * * * *

The Jordan flows on as before

 

With undiminished tide

But buried we, and raised, with Christ

Stand on the other side.

Edinburgh

Published by F. C. Mutton, 22 Christchurch Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QY, England Printed by C. Ellis, Billericay, Essex, England