The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-02-14

1t was n time of sadness. and my heart,
Although il knew and loved the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needful discipline of life
And while thought on these MS given to mo-
My trial tests of faith and love to be
1t seemed as if | never could he sure
That faithful to the end should endure.
And thus no longer trusting to Ills might,
Who saws. I'VE walk by faith, and not by sight,
Doub' ing, and almost yielding to despair,
The thought arosc-My cross [ cannot bear.
Far heavier its weight must surely be
Than those of others which daily see
Oh! III might another burden choose,
Methnks should not fear my crown to lose.
solemn silence reigned on all around
Fen Nature voices uttered not Il sound
Tie evening shadows seemed of pe,ce to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
moment $ pause, and then heavenly light
Beamcd full upon my wondering, raptured
sight,
Angels ON silvery wings seemed everywhere,
a ID asScls music thrilled the balmy dir
iHcH OHe, IHOrc Illr lnan all the rest 10 sec
One to whom all the others bowed the knee
tame gently to me rs trembling lay
And. Follow me-" lie said, Il am the way"
Then speaking thus, He led me far above
Ant. there, bencnth a canopy of love,
Crosses of divers shape and size were seen
Larger and smaller than my own had been
And one there was most oauteous to behold
little one, with jewels set in gold:
All! this, methought, | can with comfort wear,
For 1t will be an easy one to bear
And so the little cross quickly took,
But all Mt once my frame beneath it shook
The sparkling jewels fair were they to see,
But far too heavy was their ueight for Inc
This may not be, cried, and looked again,
10 see If there was any one here could ease my
pam;
Bat one by one passe til IN slowly by,
Till ON lovely one ! cast my eye.
Fair flowers around its sculpturcl form en-
twined,
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined :;
Wondering, gaxcd, and still wondered more
10 think so many should have pass d it Ger.
But oh! that form so beautiful to see
soon made its hidden sorrows known to me;
! IhOrns lay beneath those flowers and colors
fair;
| Sorrowing, said, "Ths cross may not bear. >"
And so it 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!
AZ length to i'm raised my saddened heart !;
He knew its sorrows. bid its doubts depart.
BE not afraid lie said "but trust in me
My perfect love shall now be shown to thee
And then, with lightened eyes and willing feet,
Again turned, my earthly cross to meet
With forward 70 tste;,s turning not 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 thankfulness raised it from the rest,
And Joytully acknowledged it 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 heavenly brightness on it rest
And AS | bent, my burden to sustain,
recognized my old cross again.
But oh! how different did it seem to he
Now had learned its precousness TO see!
No longc could unbelieyng say,
| Perhaps another is II better way.
An no! henccforth my own desire shall be.
| That lie who knows Inc best should chooso fnr
ne;
And so whate'er His love sees good to send,
III trust it's best, because He knows the end