 | Songs for the Wilderness |  |
20
REST.
There remaineth a rest to the people of God.
—Heb. iv. 9.
It cannot long endure! the fitful fever
Of this strange life shall quit each throbbing vein;
And this wild pulse flow placidly for ever;
And endless peace relieve this burning brain.
Of this strange life shall quit each throbbing vein;
And this wild pulse flow placidly for ever;
And endless peace relieve this burning brain.
Earth's joys are but a dream! its destiny
Is but decay and death. Its fairest form
Sunshine and shadow mixed. Its brightest day
A rainbow braided on the wreaths of storm.
Is but decay and death. Its fairest form
Sunshine and shadow mixed. Its brightest day
A rainbow braided on the wreaths of storm.
Yet there is blessedness that changeth not:
A rest with God, a life that cannot die;
A better portion, and a brighter lot;
A home with Christ, a heritage on high.
A rest with God, a life that cannot die;
A better portion, and a brighter lot;
A home with Christ, a heritage on high.
Hope for the hopeless, for the weary rest
More gentle than the still repose of even!
Joy for the joyless, bliss for the unblest;
Homes for the desolate in yonder heaven!
More gentle than the still repose of even!
Joy for the joyless, bliss for the unblest;
Homes for the desolate in yonder heaven!
The tempest makes returning calm more dear;
The darkest midnight makes the brightest star,
Even so to us when all is ended here,
Shall be the past remembered, from afar.
The darkest midnight makes the brightest star,
Even so to us when all is ended here,
Shall be the past remembered, from afar.
21
Then welcome change and death! Since these alone
Can break life's fetters, and dissolve its spell;
Welcome all present change, which speeds us on
So swift to that which is unchangeable.
Can break life's fetters, and dissolve its spell;
Welcome all present change, which speeds us on
So swift to that which is unchangeable.
| Songs for the Wilderness | |