University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
collapse sectionI. 
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand sectionII. 

Peaceable Fruit.

‘Nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.’ —Heb. xii. 11.

What shall Thine ‘afterward’ be, O Lord,
For this dark and suffering night?
Father, what shall Thine ‘afterward’ be?
Hast Thou a morning of joy for me,
And a new and joyous light?

129

What shall Thine ‘afterward’ be, O Lord,
For the moan that I cannot stay?
Shall it issue in some new song of praise,
Sweeter than sorrowless heart could raise,
When the night hath passed away?
What shall Thine ‘afterward’ be, O Lord,
For this helplessness of pain?
A clearer view of my home above,
Of my Father's strength and my Father's love?
Shall this be my lasting gain?
What shall Thine ‘afterward’ be, O Lord?
How long must Thy child endure?
Thou knowest! 'Tis well that I know it not!
Thine ‘afterward’ cometh, I cannot tell what,
But I know that Thy word is sure.
What shall Thine ‘afterward’ be, O Lord?
I wonder and wait to see,
(While to Thy chastening hand I bow,)
What ‘peaceable fruit’ may be ripening now,
Ripening fast for me!