“Peace, Perfect Peace”
Beyond all other hymns, his mother loved this one written by Bishop Edward H. Bickersteth. She often sang it in the family circle. No burden or distraction could interfere with the “perfect peace” which Christ imparted to her soul. Hence, when she died, it was the message she wished to have set over her resting place. So on her tombstone in Ceylon may be found the three words:
“Peace, Perfect Peace.”
When the members of the congregation hear this bit of family history from the lips of their pastor, they most feelingly sing at his request:
“Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus,—this is rest.
. . . . . . . . .
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus, we know, and He is on the throne.
. . . . . . . . .
It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus call us to heaven’s perfect peace.”
The sacrificial loyalty to Christ is seen when