Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-12-29
M1LLERsBURe HOLMES County, o. THURSDAY Dec 29 1870
THE CHANGED CROSS.

1t was 4 time of sadness, and my heart,
Il Although it knew and felt the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needed discipline of life.
And while thought on these as given to me,
Ny trial tests OF faith and love to be,
1t seemed as if never could be sure
That faithful to the end could endure.
And thus no longer trusting to His might,
Who says we walk by Faith and not by sight.
Doubling, and almost yielding to despair,
The thought arose, my cross cannot bear
| Far heavier its weight must surely be,
Than those OF others which daily see;
/ Oh, if might another burden choose,
| Methinks should not fear my crown to lose
A solemn silence relgned on all around.
Fen natures voice uttered not a sound.
The evening shadows seemed OF peace to tell.
And sleep upon my wesry spirit fell.
A moments pause, and then heavenly light
Beamed full on my wond' ring, rapturous sight;
Angels on silvery wing seemed everywhere,
And angels music thrilled the balmy air.
Then One more fair than all the rest to see,
One, to whom all others bowed the knee,
Came gently to me as trembling lay,
And "Follow me,'' He said 81 am the way"
Then, speaking thus, He led me far above,
And there, beneath a canopy of love,
Crosses of diverse shape and size were seen,
Larger and smaller than mine own had been.
And one there was most beauteous to behold
A little one, with jewels set in gold.
"Ah, this, ''methought, II can with comfort wear
For it will be an easy one to bear"
And so the little cross quickly took,
And all at once my frame beneath it shook.
The sparkling jewels fair were they to sec,
But far too heavy was their weight for me.
This may not be,"I cried, and looked again,
To see if there were any to ease my pain;
But one by one passed them by,
Till on a lovely one cast my eye.
Fair flowers round its sculptur'd form entwined
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined;
p" So<Cu- anu sefh
To think so many should have passed it DER.
But oh, that form so beautiful to see
Soon made its hidden sorrow known to me.
Thorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair,
And SO it was with each and all around,
No one to suit my need could there be found:
Wnaninn laid bur
As my guide so gently said, NO cross, no crown
At length to Him raised my saddened heart.
He knew its sorrows, bade its doubts depart:
"Be not afraid.' He said, 'but trust in me,
Ny perfect love will now be shown to thee
And then with lightened eyes and willing feet,
Again turned my earthly cross to meet,
With forward steps, turning not aside,
For fear some hidden evil might betide.
And there, in the prepared, appointed way
Listeding 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 joyfully 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 l bent, my burden to sustain,
1 recognized my old cross again,
But oh, how different did 1t seem to be,
Now had learned its preciousness to see!
No longer could unbelieving say,
perhaps another is a better way"
All no, henceforth my own desire shall be,
That He who knows me best sho'd choose for me;
And so what e'er His love sees good to send,
I'll trust its best, because He knows the end.