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Poem
January 28, 1874
The Central Presbyterian
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
The poem meditates on the insignificance of earthly experiences—whether bright or dark, joyful or painful—in the face of eternity, emphasizing that faithful adherence to Christ ensures reaching God and heaven.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
What will it matter by and-by,
Whether my path below was bright—
Whether it wound through dark or light,—
Under a grey or a golden sky,
When I look back on it, by-and-by?
What will it matter by and by,
Whether, unhelped, I toiled alone,
Dashing my foot against a stone,
Missing the charge of the angel nigh,
Bidding me think of the by-and-by?
What will it matter by-and-by,
Whether with laughing joy I went
Down through the years with a glad content,
Never believing, nay, not I,—
Tears would be sweeter by-and-by?
What will it matter by-and-by,
Whether with cheek to cheek I've lain
Close by the pallid angel, Pain,
Soothing myself through sob and sigh;
—'All will be elsewise by-and-by!
What will it matter?—it ought,—if I
Only am sure the way I've trod,
Gloomy or gladdened, leads to God,—
Questioning not the how, the why,
If I but reach Him, by-and by!
What will I care for the unshared sigh,
If, in my fear of slip or fall,
Closely I've clung to Christ through all.
Mindless how rough the road might lie,
Sure He will smooth it by and by.
Ah, it will matter by and-by,.
Nothing but this:—That Joy or Pain
Lifted me skyward,—helped to gain,
Whether through rack, or smile, or sigh,
Heaven—home—all in all—by-and by!
Margaret J. Preston.
Whether my path below was bright—
Whether it wound through dark or light,—
Under a grey or a golden sky,
When I look back on it, by-and-by?
What will it matter by and by,
Whether, unhelped, I toiled alone,
Dashing my foot against a stone,
Missing the charge of the angel nigh,
Bidding me think of the by-and-by?
What will it matter by-and-by,
Whether with laughing joy I went
Down through the years with a glad content,
Never believing, nay, not I,—
Tears would be sweeter by-and-by?
What will it matter by-and-by,
Whether with cheek to cheek I've lain
Close by the pallid angel, Pain,
Soothing myself through sob and sigh;
—'All will be elsewise by-and-by!
What will it matter?—it ought,—if I
Only am sure the way I've trod,
Gloomy or gladdened, leads to God,—
Questioning not the how, the why,
If I but reach Him, by-and by!
What will I care for the unshared sigh,
If, in my fear of slip or fall,
Closely I've clung to Christ through all.
Mindless how rough the road might lie,
Sure He will smooth it by and by.
Ah, it will matter by and-by,.
Nothing but this:—That Joy or Pain
Lifted me skyward,—helped to gain,
Whether through rack, or smile, or sigh,
Heaven—home—all in all—by-and by!
Margaret J. Preston.
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Eternity
Faith
Joy
Pain
Heaven
Christ
Afterlife
What entities or persons were involved?
Margaret J. Preston.
Poem Details
Author
Margaret J. Preston.
Key Lines
What Will It Matter By And By,
Whether My Path Below Was Bright—
Whether It Wound Through Dark Or Light,—
Under A Grey Or A Golden Sky,
When I Look Back On It, By And By?
Ah, It Will Matter By And By,.
Nothing But This:—That Joy Or Pain
Lifted Me Skyward,—Helped To Gain,
Whether Through Rack, Or Smile, Or Sigh,
Heaven—Home—All In All—By And By!