"Sleep on, beloved."

[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 Saviour's breast;

We love thee much, 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 shadows from this earth be cast,

Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,

Until the twilight gloom be overpast:

Good night!

Until the Eastern glory decks the skies,

And they that sleep 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 Him e'en as we are known:

Good night! ANON.