Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-02-07
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POETRY.
For the Spectator.
The True Cross.

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1t is time of sadness and ny heart,
Altho' it knew and loved the better part, sa1av
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife.
And all the needful discipline of life
And while thought on these as given to me
As trial tests of faith and lore to be,
It seemed as if I ever could be sure,
That faithful to the end should endure u
And thus, no longer trusting to His might
who says; I'VE walk by faith and not by
Doubling and almost yielding to despair
The thought arose: My cress | cannot bear. "
Much heavier its weight must surely be of.
Than those of others whom daily see;
Oni II L might another burcen choose, ~ =
Methink should not fear my cross to lose.
A solemn silence regned on all around,
E' en- Natures voice uttered not sound
The eveHmg shadows seemed of4peace to tell
And sleep upon my weary spirit fail.
A moments pause-and then heavenly light
beamed tull upon my wandering, 'raptured
sight ass
Angels on silvery wings seemed everywhere,
And Angels music thrilled the balmy air. m
Then, One more fair than all the rest to see,
One TO whom all the others bowed the knee,
Came gently to me as trembling lay,
And, Follow me, he said, II am the way"
And speaking thus He led me far above, IS
And there beneath canopy ofElove
crosses OF divers shapes and sizes were seen,
Larger and smaller than my own had been.
And one there was most beauteous to behold,
a little one, with jewels set in gold.
On this, methought, can with comfort wear,
For 1t will be an easy one to bear.
And SO the little cross 1 quickly took, fl 8a
But all at once my frame beneath it shook; aa
The sparkling jewels fair were they to see,
But far too heavy was their weight for me.
This may not be,n L cried, looked again
10 see II any there could ease my pain,
But one by one, passed them slowly by
'Ilil~on aalovely cross cast my eye.
Fair flowers around its sculptured form entwined
And grace and beauty seemed in it com bined ~
w ordering gazed, and still I wondered more,
io think SO many should have passed it Ger.
But oh that form so fair, so beautiful to see,
Soon made its hidden sorrow known to me-
Ihorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair,
Borrowing, said, ''This cross may not bear.u
And so it was with such and all around
Not one to suit my need could there be found
Weeping, laid each heavy burden down.
AS gently said my guide, No cross, no crown" /"
At length to him / raised my saddened heart,
He knew its sorrows, bid doubts depart;
BE not afraid,'' Il said but trust in Me,
My perfect love shall now be shown to thee"
And then in the prepared appointed way,
Listening to hear, and ready to obey,
cross luckily found of plainest form,
With only words Of love inscribed thereon.
With thankfulness l 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 wear
And while thus my chosen one confessed,
L saw, heavenly brightness on it rest,
And as bent my burden to sustain,
[ recognized my own old cross again.
But oh how different did it seem to be,
Now had learned its preciousness to see,
No longer could unbelieving say,
Perhaps another is better way.
All, no! henceforth my one desire shall be-
That He who knows me best shall choose for me,
And so whate' er His love sees good to send
I'll trust it best, because He knows the end.