The Christian’s “Good-night� (“Sleep on, beloved�)
By Sarah Doudney (1841–1926)
SLEEP on, beloved, sleep on and take thy rest,
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s breast;
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best;—
Good-night!
Calm is thy slumber as an infant’s sleep;
But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep;
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep;—
Good-night!
Until the shadow from this earth is cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,
Until the Lenten gloom is overpast;—
Good-night!
Until the Easter glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come—but not in lowly guise;—
Good-night!
Until, made beautiful by love divine,
Thou, in the likeness of Thy Lord, shalt shine,
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine;—
Good-night!
Only “Good-night,� beloved, not “Farewell�!
A little while, and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed union, indivisible;—
Good-night!
Until we meet again before His throne,
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own;
Until we know, even as we are known;—
Good-night!
