RESTS by Mary A. Wiswell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 19, 1874

RESTS

By Mary A. Wiswell

“There is no music in a rest, But there is music's making;” For melody is best expressed By pause and re-awaking.

The skilled musician strikes the keys ; His sweet voice joins in singing ; He seeks not perfect harmonies In tones forever ringing ;

But marks the “rests” that lie between With pauses full and rounded ; And clearer where they intervene Succeeding notes are sounded.

God writes the music of our lives In strains of rare completeness ; From him the melody derives Whatever it has of sweetness.

The Grand Composer orders all According to his pleasure, And makes life's changes, great and small, Complete the rhythmic measure.

He writes it plainly—every line A tender benefaction ; And still we murmur and repine At “rests” of forced inaction.

Faith sees how, in His love sublime, With patience unabating, A loving Father marks the time Of all our weary waiting ;

And how our notes, made sweet and strong, Where discord cometh never, Shall swell at last the angel's song, Forever and forever.

—Mary A. Wiswell.