Oh, for the peace that floweth as a river

Oh, for the peace that floweth as a river. Jane Crewdson* (1809-1863). This was published in Jane Crewdson’s ‘A Little While’, and Other Poems (Manchester, 1864), published after her death. It was the opening poem, entitled ‘The Little While’, with a quotation: ‘What is this that he saith, A little while? – John 16:15.’ It may have been known earlier, because it was printed in Samuel Johnson* and Samuel Longfellow*’s Unitarian collection, Hymns of the Spirit, also published in 1864. It was then used by Philip Schaff* in Christ in Song (New York, 1869). It had seven stanzas: Oh, for the peace that floweth as a river, Making life’s desert places bloom and smile! Oh for the faith to grasp...