Weekly Trinity journal., 1858-06-05
(oR1GIS Al
The Hidden Cross.

1t was o time of sadness-and my heart,
Although 1t knew and loved the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needfnl discipline OF life.
And while thought on thee as given to me,
My trial-tests of faith and love TO be,
1t seem'd rs If never could be sure
That faithful to the end should endure.
And thus, no longer trusting to his might
Who says, we walk by faith and not by 81 ght,'
Doubling. and almost yielding to despair,
The though! arose-Hy cross IeanaOi bear.
Far heavier its weight must surely be,
Than those Of others whom | daily see
Oh, II might another burden choose,
Methinks should not fear my cross to lose.
A solemn silence reign'd on all around.
Fen Natures voices uttered not a sound,
The evening shadows seem'd OF peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
A moments pause--and then heavenly light
Beamd full upon my wondering sight,
Angels on slvery wings, seemed everywhere,
And angels music thrill'd the balmy mir.
Then One, more fair than all the rcst to sec,
One to whom all others bowed the knee
Came gently TO me as trembling lay,
And Follow me = he said, | am the way
Then speaking thus, he led me fur above,
And there, beneath canopy OF love,
CTOSStS VI ulNtTH sHUpt uUu siLV sttIlp
Larger and smaller than my own had been.
And one there was. most beautiful to behold,
A little one, with jewels set In gold
All, this, methought, can with comfort wear,
For twill be an easy one to bear.
".
And 80 the little cross quickly took,
But all at once my frame beneath 1t shook
The sparkling jewels fair they were to see,
But Tar too heavy was their weight Tor me.
This may not be, cried aud look'd again
To see II there were any here could ease my
pain,
But one by one passed them slowly by,
Till on a lovely one cast my eye.
Fair flowers around its scuptured form en-.
twned,
And grace aud beauty seem'd in IL combined
Wondering gazcd-and still wondered more,
To think SO many should have pass'd 1t o'er.
And so 1t was with each and all around,
Not one to suit my need could there be found
Weeping laid each heavy burden down,
As my Guide gently said, NO cross no crown
At length to him raised my saddcned heart
lie knew its sorrow, bid its doubts depart
BE not afraid He said, but trust In me,
My perfect love shall now be shown to thee
But, oh that form so beautiful to see,
Soon made Its hidden sorrows known to me;
Thorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair,
Sorrowing, | said, This cross cannot bear.
VI.
And then with lightend eyes and willing feet.
Again | turned, my earthly cross to meet,
With forward footsteps, turning not aside,
For fear some hidden evil might betide.
And there In the prepared appointed way,
Listening to lear, and ready to obey,
cross quickly found Of plainest form,
With only words of love inscribed thereon.
With thankfulncss raised 10 from the rest,
And joyfully acknowledged 1t the best
The only one Of all the many there.
That could feel was good for me to bear.
And while thus my chosen one confessed,
saw a heavenly brightness on II rest
And as bent, my burden to sustain
recognized my own old cross again
But oh, how different did It seem to be !
Now had learned It's preciousness to see
No longer could / unbclieving say,
Perhaps another IL a better way
All, no! henceiorth my own desire shall be,
That He, who knows me best, should choose for
me;
And so, whateer His love sees good to send.
I'll trust its best-because he knows the end.