MEANWHILE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1877

By-and-by comes the autumn’s rich fruitage; Meanwhile, the frail germ and fair flower Must wait all the tender unfolding, That cometh through sunshine and shower.

By-and-by the rough stone from the quarry The “head of the corner” may grace; Meanwhile, heavy strokes of the hammer Symmetrical beauty must trace.

By-and-by the dull gold may be beaten To vessels the Master shall use; Meanwhile, in the crucible’s burning, All vestige of dross it must lose.

Then, poor, restless heart, dost thou wonder If crosses, meanwhile, are for thee? Wait, suffer, grow purer through trial, And rich shall thy recompense be!