O FOR THE PEACE THAT FLOWETH AS A RIVER!

O for the peace that floweth as a river!
Making life’s desert places bloom and smile;
O for the faith to grasp heaven’s bright ‘for ever’!
Amid the shadows of earth’s ‘little while.’

‘A little while’ for patient vigil keeping,
To face the storm and 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’ the earthen pitcher taking
To wayside brooks, from far-off fountains fed;
Then the parched lip its thirst for ever slaking
Beside the fullness of the Fountain-head.

‘A little while’ to keep the oil from failing,
‘A little while’ faith’s flick’ring lamp to trim;
And then the Bridegroom’s coming footsteps hailing,
We’ll haste to meet Him with the bridal hymn.