A LITTLE WHILE | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1856

A LITTLE WHILE.

"A little while!" so spake our gracious Lord To the sad band around that sacred board, Where his long burdened heart Already felt the smart Of his own Father's sin-avenging sword.

Take thou the message, weeping, weary one! Are not all things around thee hastening on? Thy Father's hand ordains All these thy griefs and pains; "A little while," they, too, are passed and gone.

Have all the lights of love quite died away? Does the last star withdraw its cheering ray? Till the long night wears past, Weeping and prayer must last, But joy approaches with the dawning day.

Do friends misunderstand or mock thy pain? Hast thou too fondly trusted, loved in vain? The faithful One and true Can blighted hopes renew; And hearts long severed, re-unite again.

"A little while"—the fetters hold no more— The spirit long enthralled is free to soar, And take its joyous flight, On radiant wings of light, To the blest mansions of the heavenly shore.

There end the longings of the weary breast; The good sought after here is there possessed. Ride o'er the stormy sea, Poor bark! Soon shalt thou be In the calm haven of eternal rest.

"A little while," look upward and hope on! Soon shall the troubled dreams of night be gone, The shadows pass away Before the abiding day— The Saviour comes to save and bless his own!