Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-04-02
QOtttp.
THE CHANGED CpOsS.

THE CtANGED NItUSNs
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the
/, s.
'For l know the thoughts that think towards you
thoughts peace andnot ofoy TO give you expected
snd."-Jer. xxx, II.
And when that happy time shall comc OF endcs, peace
and rest
We shallook back upon our path and the best
It was time ofsadness, and my heart,
Although IL knew and felt the better part,
Felt wearicd with the conflict and the strife,
Aud all the needful discipline Of life.
And while thought on these as given to me-
My trial tests Of faith and love 10 be-
1t seemed as i'll never could be sure
That faithful to the end should endure.
And thus no longer trusting to Ills might,
whosays, tive walk by faith, and not by sight,"
Doubling and almost yielding TO despair
The thought arose-iny cross cannot bear.
Far heavier It's weight must surely be
Than those Of others which daily see;
Oil if might another burden choose,
Methinks should not fear my crown to lose.
solemn silence rcignod on all around
Fen Natures voices uttered not sound
The evening shadows seemed of peace TO tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell
moments pause, and then heavenly light
Beamed full upon my wondering, rapturcd sight;
Angels on silyery wings seemed everyvheSe,
And angels music thrilledthe balmy air.
Then One moro fair thnn all the rest to see
Ono to whom all Others bowed the knee
Came gently to me trembling lay,
And "Follow Me-" He said, ~ am the way"
Then speaking thus, lie led me far above;
And there, beneath canopy of love,
Crosses ofdivers shape and size seen,
Larger aud smaller than my own had been.
And one there was most beauteous to behold
A little one, with jewels set gold;
Ali this methought, can with comfort wear,
For it win be nm easy one to bear.
And so the little cross quickly took
But all at once my frame beneath it shook
The sparkling jewels fair were they TO see,
But far too heavy was their weight for me-
This may not be, cried, and looked again,
To see IL there was 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 scupturcd form entwined,
And grace aud beauty seemed in 1t combined;
Wondering. gnzed, and still l wondered more
To think so many should have passed it Ger.
But, oh, that form so beautiful to see
Soon made its hidden sorrows known to me;
Thorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair:
sorroving said ''rhis cross may not bear"
And so IL with each and all around
Not one TO sut 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 saddencd heart:
He knew its sorrows, bid it's doubts depart
ape not afraid" He said, "but trust in me
! Ny perfect love shall now be shown to thee"
And then, with lightened eyes and willing feet,
| Again turned, my earthly to meet,
With forward footsteps, turningnot aside,
For fear some hidden evil might betide
And there, in the prepared, appointed way
Listening to hear and ready to obey
A cross quickly found of plainest form,
| With only words of love inscribed thereon.
With thankfulnessI raised it from the rest,
And joyfully acknowlcd it the best
The only one of all the many there
That I could feel was good for me to bear.
And while thus my chosen one confessed,
saw heavenly brightness on it rest;
And as bent, my burden to sustain,
Irceognized my own old cross againl
But, oh, how different did It seem to be
Now had learned its precousness to sseI
No longer could unbelieving say,
Perhaps anotheris is a better way.
Ah no! henccforth my desire shall be-
That He who knows me best shall choose for me,
And so whate'er His love good to send,
I'll trust it's best, because He knows the end.