A Little While by Madeleine Arne

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Mar 11, 1875

A Little While.

By Madeleine Arne

Oh! for the peace that floweth as a river, Making life's desert places bloom and smile; Oh! for a faith which grasps Heaven's bright forever, Amid the shadows of that little while.

A little while for patient vigil keeping, To face the storm, 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 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 illusion, To strive by faith, love's mystery to spell; Then read each dark enigma's bright solution, And 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 parched lip its thirst forever slaking Beside the fullness 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.

Thus he, who is himself the Gift and Giver, The future glory, and the present smile, With his bright promise of the glad forever, Can light the shadows of that—little while. Madeleine Arne.