Peace by E. W. Darling

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 5, 1865

Peace.

By E. W. Darling

PEACE, blessed peace, how sweet the notes To every burdened soldier's ear. As music o'er the water floats, So come thy welcome words of cheer.

Yet thou dost bring sad thoughts to me Of widows' tears and orphans' moan, For friends returning not with thee, But mouldering silent and unknown.

Peace—but a peace that binds the yoke And bids the oppressor's scepter wave, While heavier burden, heavier stroke, Bows low to earth the groaning slave.

Peace, like the calm that doth precede The bursting of a wilder storm, Though muttering clouds of war recede, The sounds of fiercer carnage come.

And then no more shall lasting peace Return to bless the world again, Till earth shall burn, and man shall cease To live in folly and in sin.

Then earth renewed shall smile once more, And war's discordant notes shall cease, And long the dwellers on that shore Shall live in prosperous blessed peace.

O Prince of Peace, all-glorious King, Begin thy everlasting reign, And let the weary pilgrim sing To lasting peace a joyful strain.

E. W. DARLING.

Steele Center, Minn.