Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-02-10


ights Of peace and not ofevi to give you exPcct
."-Jer. NxxiS. IL.
when that happy time shall come Of endless peace
rest,
shall look back upon path and say-It was the be
IL time Of sadness and INV heart
Although IL knew aud felt the better part
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strifr,
And all the needful discipline of life
And while thought on these a. given to me-
My trial tests OF faith and 1--we 10 be-
u sremed as II never could he sure
That faithful to the end should endure.
And TINS no longer trusting TO Ills might,
Who SAYS, " we walk by faith and not by sight
Doubling. and almost yielding to despair,
The thought arose-my cross cannot bear.
Par heavier Its weight must surely be
Than those Of others which daily see;
On II might another burden choose.
Methinks should not fear my crown to lose.
A solemn silence rcigned ON all around
Zen Natures voices uttered not a sound
The evening shadows seemed OF peace 10 tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
moments pause aud then a heavenly light
heamed fun upon my wondering raptured sight;
Angels on silyery wings seemed every where,
And angels music thrilled the balmy air.
One to whom all others bowed the knee
Came gently to me as l trembling Law,
And Follow me- He said, = l am the way
Then speaking thus, lie led me far above;
And there beneath canopy of love.
Crosses of divers shape and size seen,
Larger and smaller than my own had been.
And one there most beauteous to behold
little one, with jewels set In gold
An this, methought, can with comfort wear,
For II Will be an easy one to bear.
And SO the little cross quickly took,
Hut all at once NV frame beneath il shook
The sparkling jewels fair were they to see,
But far too heavy was their weight for me.
This NAV not he cried and looked again,
To see If there any here could ease my pain
But one by one passed them slowly by
Till on lovely one east my eye
Fair flowers around It's seulptured form entwined,
And graee and beauty seemed in Il com hined
Wondering gazed and still wondered more
To think so many should have passed It Ger.
But. oh that form so beautiful to see
Soon made its hidden sorrow known TO me;
Thorns lay beneath those flowers and ooors fair
sorrowing, said, - This cross may not bear"
And 50 II was with each and AL around
Not one 70 suit NV H,ed 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 saddened heart
lie knew its sorrows. bid its doubts derart
- Be not sfrad,' lie said g hut trust in me-
My perfect love shall be shown to thee"
Aud then with hghtened eyes and willing feet,
Again turned NV 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 10 hear and ready 10 obey
cross quickly found of p,sinest form,
With only words of love inscribed thereon
with thaukiulness l raised II from the rest
Aud joyfully acknowledged 1t the best
Tne only one OF all the many there
That could feel was good for me 70 bear.
And while thus my chosen one confessed,
saw heavenly brightness on It rest;
And as bent my burden 10 sustain,
recognized my own old cross again,
But, oh how different did il seem to be
Now had learned its preciousness to see!
No longer could unheieying say,
Perhaps another Ia a better way.
Ah, no henceforth my own desire shall be,
That He who knows me best should choose for me
And 80 wbate'er His love sees good to send,
III trust it's best, because He knows the end.