What Then ?

WHAT THEN ?
When all the great plants of our cities
Have turned out their last finished work ;
When our merchant have made the last bargain
And dismissed the last tired clerk ;
When our banks raked in the last dollar ,
And paid out the last dividend ;
When the Judge of the Earth says,
“ Close for the night !”
and asks for a balance – WHAT THEN ?

When the choir has sung its last anthem ,
And the preacher has said his last prayer ;
When the people have heard their last sermon,
And the sound has died out on the air ;
When the Bible lies closed on the pulpit ,
And the pews are all empty of men ;
When each one stands facing his record ,
And the Great Book is opened- WHAT THEN ?

When actors have play their last drama ,
And the mimic has made his last fun ;
When the movies have flashed the last picture ,
And billboard displayed its last run ;
When the crowds seeking pleasure have vanished ,
And have gone into darkness again ;
And the world that rejected its Saviour
Is asked for a reason – WHAT THEN ?

When the bugle’s last call sinks in silence ,
And the long marching columns stand still ;when the captain has giv’n his last order ,
And they’ve captured the last fort and hill ;
When the flag has been hauled from the masthead ,
And the wounded a field have checked in;
When the trumpet of ages is sounded ,
And we stand up before Him – WHAT THEN ?
Jan Bagwell
09/29/09