Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-19
y utt's GOrntr.
[selocted for the Spirit Of the Age.l
"The Changed Cross"

'hNNhN - Na1 HA
1.-THE Changed Cross"
ct was a time of sadness and my heart,
Although it knew and loved the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the bitter discipline of life.
And when l thought on these as given to me,
Ny trial, test Of faith and love TO be,
IL seemed as IL l never could be sure,
That faithful to the end / shall endure.
And then no longer trusting to his might,
Who says we walk by faith and not by sight,
Doubling and almsst yielding to despair,
The thought arose - my cross I cannot bear.
Par heavier its weight must surely be,
Than that Of others which / daily see,
oh IL | might another burden choose,
Methinks / should not fear my crown to lose.
A solemn silence reigned on all around,
Fen Natures voice, it uttered not a sound,
The evening shadows seemed Of peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
Some moments passed and then n heavenly light,
Beamed full upon my raptured, wondering sight,
Angels on silyery wings seemed anywhere,
And angels music thrilled the balmy cir.
Then one moro fair than all the rest too SEQ,
Ono to whom all the others bowed the knee,
Came goAtly to mo as l trembling lay,
Aud follow mo he said, 1 am the way
While s~poSking thus, he led me far above,
And there beneath a canopy Of love,
Crosses Of various shape and size were seen,
Larger and smaller than mine own had been.
And ono there was more beautiful to behold,
a little one with jewels sot in gold,
All! this / thought, ] can with comfort wear,
Epr this will la an aoev opa IN hanr
And so the little cross I quickly took,
And all Mt once my frame beneath ii shook,
The sparkling jewels fair were they to see,
But far too heavy was their weight for me.
This may not bel cried-and looked around,
To see il any better could be found,
And one by one l slowly passed them by,
Till on Il lovely one / cast my eye.
Fair flowers around its sculpturod frame entwined,
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined
Wondering 1 gazed, 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 hidGen SORROWS known to me,
Thorns were beneath those flowers bright and fair
Sor rowing, l faid-' This cross | cannot bear
And so II was with zach and all around,
NOT one 10 SUIT my strength could there DC tonnd
Weeping laid each heavy burden down,
'But'--my guide gently said, no cross no Groom.
Atlast to Him, I raised my saddened heart,
He kHeo It's sorrotrs, bid it's doubts depart,
DO not afraid he said, { but trust in me-
my perfect love shall soon be shown to thee.'
And then with l~ightoned heart and willing ieet,
l turned my earthly cross to meet,
With forward footsteps turning not aside,
For fear some hidden evil might betide.
And then in the prepared appointed way,
Listening to hear and ready to obey,
A cross l quickly found Of common mould,
With words Of love an gentlencss enrolled.
With thankrulncss I raised it from the rest,
And joyfully acknowledged it the best,
The only one of all the many there,
That l could feel was good for me to bear.
And while I thus my chosen one confess ed,
raw n heavenly brightness on it rest,
And so l bent my burden to sustain,
recognized my own old cross again.
But oh, how different did it seem to be,
when l had learned its preciousness to see;
No longer could l unbelioying say,
'Perhops another is q better ray
All 80 hcnceforth my one desire shall be,
That he, who knows me best shall choose for
And 80 whatccr His love sees good to send,
III trust it's best, because lie sees the end"