A LITTLE WHILE | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 12, 1871

“A LITTLE WHILE.”

“What is this that he saith, ‘A little while?’” John 16:18.

Oh! for the peace which floweth as a river, Making life’s desert places bloom and smile! Oh! for the faith to grasp Heaven’s bright “forever,” 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 step, 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 mysteries to spell; Then read each dark enigma’s bright solution, Then hail night’s verdict, “He doth all things well.”

“A little while,” the earthen pitcher taking To wayside brooks, from far-off fountains fed; Then the cool 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.

And He who is himself the gift and giver, The future glory and the present smile, With the bright promise of the glad “forever,” Will light the shadows of the “little while.”