[The early Christians were accustomed to wish their dying friends “Good night,” assured of their awakening at the resurrection.]
Sleep on, beloved, sleep and take thy rest,
Lay down thy head upon thy Savior’s breast;
We love thee much, but Jesus loves thee best:
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:
Until the shadows from this earth be cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,
Until the twilight gloom be overpast:
Until the Eastern glory decks the skies,
And they that sleep in Jesus shall arise;
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise
Until made beautiful by love divine,
Thou in the likeness of thy Lord shalt shine;
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine:
Only “Good night,” beloved, not farewell;
“A little while,” and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed union indivisible:
Until we meet again before His throne,
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own;
Until we know Him e’en as we are known:
ANON.