The Better Land (William H. Hyde)

Описание: As the year 1915 opened, Ellen White, now in her eighty-eighth year, was “comfortable, calm, [and] courageous” (CCC to WCW, January 1, 1915), and was taking an active part in book preparation. In fact, she seemed to be in better health generally than a few months before. But those close to her in the home could see indications that she was failing. She was, however, able to go unaided up and down the stairs, and moved freely from room to room. Often as she did so, she would be heard humming an old hymn, with words penned by William Hyde in 1845 after he had heard her give the account of her first vision of the new earth. It was one of the songs in the denomination’s first hymnal issued in 1849. As first published, it was titled “The Better Land” (see MR, p. 127). It was especially the last part of the poem and hymn that she dwelt upon: 6BIO 418.1

William H. Hyde was one of the faithful early ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church during its formative years in the 19th century. Though not as widely known as pioneers like James White or Uriah Smith, Hyde played an important role in helping stabilize and organize the growing Advent movement after its official organization in 1863.

Serving as an ordained minister and conference laborer, Hyde was involved in evangelism, church organization, and strengthening Sabbath-keeping congregations during a time when Adventism was expanding across new territories. He worked during the era when the church was clarifying its teachings on the sanctuary, the Three Angels’ Messages, and health reform, while also building a structured conference system.

Like many early Adventist workers, Hyde participated in camp meetings, pastoral oversight, and publishing efforts that helped move the church from a small revival movement into a firmly established denomination. His contribution reflects the quiet but essential leadership that sustained the church’s growth in its early decades.

Though not a headline figure in Adventist history, William H. Hyde represents the generation of ministers whose faithfulness and steady labor helped lay the groundwork for the global movement that exists today.

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We have heard from the bright, the holy land;
We have heard, and our hearts are glad;
For we were a lonely pilgrim band,
And weary, and worn, and sad.
They tell us the saints have a dwelling there—
No longer are homeless ones;
And we know that the goodly land is fair,
Where life’s pure river runs.

They say green fields are waving there,
That never a blight shall know;
And the deserts wild are blooming fair,
And the roses of Sharon grow.
There are lovely birds in the bowers green,
Their songs are blithe and sweet;
And their warblings, gushing ever new,
The angels’ harpings greet.

We have heard of the palms, the robes, the crowns,
And the silvery band in white.
Of the city fair, with pearly gates,
All radiant with light.
We have heard of the angels there, and saints,
With their harps of gold, how they sing;
Of the mount with the fruitful tree of life,
Of the leaves that healing bring.

The King of that country, He is fair,
He’s the joy and light of the place;
In His beauty we shall behold Him there,
And bask in His smiling face.
We’ll be there, we’ll be there in a little while,
We’ll join the pure and the blest;
We’ll have the palm, the robe, the crown,
And forever be at rest.

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