The early Christians were accustomed to bid their dying friends ' Good Night,' assured of their awakening at the Resurrection call.—I Thess. iv. 14.

GOOD NIGHT

Sleep on, beloved, sleep 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 twilight 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 robes He gives His own.
Until we know, even as we are known.—
Good night.

from: The Monthly Packet, Half-Yearly Volume
Edited by Christabel R. Coleridge, and, Arthur Innes

New Series -- IX.
Volume LXXXIX
Parts DXXVII. To DXXXIL, Jan.—June, 1895.
London: A.D. Innes and Co. 1895