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THE PEACE OF CHRIST

“My peace I give unto you.”—John 14:27

Sweet gift of Christ! O blessed thought!
The peace of mind that God hath wrought!
No earthly passion’s half so sweet,
No joy on earth is so complete,
As that the loving Father gives
To those in whom the spirit lives—
The peace of Christ.

O weary one upon life’s sea,
That hast no Christ to comfort thee,
Remember when the billows roll,
Surge upon surge, about thy soul,
That there’s a harbor safe and sure,
Wherein thy heart may rest secure—
The peace of Christ.

O loving heart that trembles yet,
Half fearful that it may forget;
Afraid that it may miss the way,
Doubting, wavering, all the day—
Remember that it is to thee
This gift of gifts is offered free—
The peace of Christ.

O Christian with the brow severe,
With eyes that seldom drop a tear,
With lips that smiling have forgot,
Remember that it is thy lot
To have within a joy divine;
Open thy heart and make it thine—
The peace of Christ.

The love of God! How its dimension
Reaches above our comprehension;
And who of us can understand
The workings of his mighty hand?
But rest, my soul, and quiet be,
Thou knowest this he giveth thee—
The peace of Christ.

So then, my soul, upon his breast
Thy troubles cast, and be at rest.
Though sorrow wrings the heart, and pain
Saps life and strength with steady drain,
O’er all these griefs and cares of thine
God pours the healing balm divine—
The peace of Christ.
—Selected.

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— February 15, 1896 —