SLEEP

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1901

He sees when their footsteps falter, when their hearts grow weak and faint; He marks when their strength is failing, and listens to each complaint; He bids them rest for a season, for the pathway has grown too steep; And folded in fair green pastures He giveth His loved ones sleep.

Like weary and worn-out children, that sigh for the daylight’s close, He knows that they oft are longing for home and its sweet repose; So He calls them in from their labors ere the shadows around them creep, And silently watching o’er them, He giveth His loved ones sleep.

He giveth it, oh, so gently, as a mother will hush to rest The babe that she softly pillows so tenderly on her breast! Forgotten are now the trials and sorrows that made them weep, For with many a soothing promise, He giveth His loved ones sleep.

He giveth it! Friends the dearest can never this boon bestow; But He touches the dropping eyelids, and placid the features grow; Their foes may gather about them, and storms may round them sweep, But guarding them safe from danger, He giveth His loved ones sleep.

All dread of the distant future, all fears that oppressed to-day, Like mists, that clear in the sunlight, have noiselessly passed away; Nor call nor clamor can rouse them from slumbers so pure and deep, For only His voice can reach them, Who giveth His loved ones sleep.

Weep not that their toils are over, weep not that their race is run; God grant that we may rest as calmly when our work, like theirs, is done! Till then we would yield with gladness our treasures to Him to keep, And rejoice in the sweet assurance, He giveth His loved ones sleep.

— The Chamber of Peace.