Dedicated to the Mountain Ministers

As terrace upon terrace
Rise the mountains o’er the humbler hills
And stretch away to dizzy heights
To meet heaven’s own pure blue;
From thence to steal those soft and filmy clouds
With which to wrap their heads and shoulders––
Bare of other cloak––
Transforming them to rains and snows
To bless this elsewise desert world:
So, he who stands God’s minister ’mong men,
High reaches out above all earthly things
And comes in contact with the thoughts of God;
Conveys them down in blessings to mankind––
Richest of blessings,
Holiest fruit of heaven––
Plucked fresh from off the Tree of Life
That springs hard by the Lamb’s white throne,
And bears the plenteous leaves which grow
To heal the wounded nations.