TOIL AND REST | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 19, 1876

TOIL AND REST.

“For so he giveth his beloved sleep.”

WHEN sets the weary sun, And the long day is done, And starry orbs their solemn vigils keep; When bent with toil and care We breathe our evening prayer, God gently giveth his beloved sleep.

When by some slanderous tongue The heart is sharply stung, And with the sense of cruel wrong we weep; How like some heavenly calm Comes down the soothing balm What time he giveth his beloved sleep.

Oh, sweet and blessed rest! With these sore burdens pressed To lose ourselves in slumbers, long and deep; To drop our heavy load Beside the dusty road, When he hath given his beloved sleep.

And on our closed eyes What visions may arise! What sights of joy to make the spirit leap! What memories may return From out their golden urn If God but giveth his beloved sleep!

And when life's day shall close In death's last deep repose, When the dark shadows o'er the eyelids creep, Let us not be afraid At this deep, thickening shade; For so God giveth his beloved sleep.

To sleep?—it is to wake When the fresh day shall break, When the new sun climbs up the eastern steep; To wake with new-born powers, Out from the darkened hours; For so he giveth his beloved sleep.

To die?—it is to rise To fairer, brighter skies, When death no more shall his dread harvests reap; To soar on angels' wings Where life immortal springs; For so he giveth his beloved sleep. —Congregationalist.