A Song of Peace

ITS 7E close these pages with the following ’ sweet song of peace. It issued first from the devout heart of one of God’s suffering children. Mrs. Jane Crewdson of Lancashire, England, a member of the Orthodox branch of the “Society of Friends,” sang this heart-song from a chamber of painful sickness. She kissed the rod of chastisement which was laid upon her, and found that, like Jonathan’s “rod,” it had the “taste of the honey” upon it. Many who have never seen them before will doubtless welcome them here; and will read them the more often as they draw nearer to the “Better Country.”

THE LITTLE WHILE.

Oh for the peace which floweth as a river, Making life’s desert places bloom and smile;

Oh for the faith to grasp heaven’s bright “for ever,” Amid the shadow’s of earth’s “little while “!

“A little while,” for patient vigil keeping. To face the stern, to wrestle with the strong;

“A little while,” to sow the seed with weeping, Then bind the sheaves and sing the harvest song;

“A little while,” to wear the weeds of sadness, To pace, with weary step, through miry ways;

Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness. And clasp the girdle round the robe of praise.

“A little while,” ‘midst shadow and illusions, To strive by faith love’s mysteries to spell;

Then read each dark enigma’s bright solution;

Then hail sight’s verdict, “He doeth all things well.”

“A little while,” the earthen pitcher taking To wayside brooks, from far-off fountains fed;

Then the cool lip its thirst for ever slaking. Beside the fulness of the Fountain-head.

“A little while,” to keep the oil from failing, “A little while” faith’s flickering lamp to trim;

And then the Bridegroom’s coming footstep hailing. To haste to meet Him with the bridal hymn.

And He, who is Himself the Gift and Giver,

The future glory and the present smile. With the bright promise of the glad” for ever”

WiU light the shadows of the “little while.”