Oh, for the peace that 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 shadows 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 robe of sadness.
To toil, with weary steps, thro’ miry ways;
Then to pour forth the fragrant oil of gladness,
And clasp the girdle round the robe of praise!
“A little while” ’mid shadow and illusion,
To strive, by faith, Love’s mysteries to spell;
Then read each dark enigma’s bright solution,
Whilst meekly owning “He doth all things well!”
“A little while” the earthen pitcher taking
To wayside brooks, from far-off fountains fed,
Where the cool lip, its thirst for ever slaking,
May taste 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 footsteps 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”
Will light the shadows of the “little while!”
O Thou whose bounty fills my cup
With every blessing meet,
I give Thee thanks for every drop—
The bitter and the sweet!
I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the river-side;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied!
I thank Thee, both for smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown,
And for the present cross!
I thank Thee for the wing of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy cloud, that drove
The flutterer to Thy breast!
I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace,
Which nothing can destroy!