Not Now | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 22, 1865

Not Now.

Not now, my child—a little more rough tossing, A little longer on the billows' foam, A few more journeys in the desert dreary, And then the sunshine of my Father's home.

Not now—for there are weary wanderers lonely; And thou must call them in with patient love: Not now—for I have sheep upon the mountains, And thou must follow them where'er they rove.

Not now—for I have loved ones sad and weary; Wilt thou not cheer them with a kindly smile? Sick ones, who need thee in their silent sorrow; Wilt thou not tend them yet a little while?

Not now—for wounded hearts are sorely bleeding; And thou must teach the widow's heart to sing; Not now—for orphan tears are thickly falling, They must be gathered 'neath some sheltering wing.

Not now—for many a hungry one is pining; Thy willing hand must be outstretched and free; Thy Father hears their doleful cry of anguish, And sends his answer unto them by thee.

Not now—for dungeon walls look stern and gloomy, And sighs sound sadly on the prison breeze— Man's captives, but thy Saviour's noble freemen; Hast thou no ministry of love for these?

Not now,—for yet the awful gulf is yawning, And souls are perishing in hopeless sin; Jerusalem's bright gates are standing open: Go to the banished ones, and fetch them in!

Go with the name of Jesus to the dying, And speak that name in all its living power; Why should thy warm heart e'er grow cold and weary? Canst thou not watch with me one little hour?

One little hour! and then the glorious crowning, The golden harp-string, and the victor's palm— One little hour! and then the hallelujah! Eternity's long, deep, thanksgiving psalm!