Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-06-29

Inc changed CrOSS'
oIt was n time Of sadness, and my heart,
Although il knew and felt the better part;
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needful discipline Of life.
And while | thought on these as given to me,
NY trial tests Of faith and lovo to be,
1t seemed as il never could be sure
That faithful to the end, should 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 it's weight must surely be,
Than those of others which | daily see;
Ohl if might another burden choose,
Methmks should not fear my crown to lose.
A solemn silence reigned on all around,
Fen natures voices uttered not sound
The evening shadows seemed Of peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
A moments pause, and then heavenly light
Bcamed full upon my wondering, raptued
sight;
Angels, on silvery wings 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 | trustngly lay,
And, follow me, he said, Il am the way
Then speaking thus, He led me far above
And there, beneath canopy OF love,
Crosses of divers shape and size were seen,
Larger and smaller than my own had been.
And one that was most beautiful to behold
A little one with Jewels set in gold;
Oh this, methought, | can with comfort wear,
For it will be an easy one to bear
And so the little cross quickly took
But all at once my frame beneath it shook
The sparkling jewels, fair they were to see,
But far too heavy was their freight for me.
This may not be, cried, and looked again
TO see If there was any here could ease my pain;
But one by one, passed them slowly by,
Till on a lovely one | cast my eye.
Fair flowers around its sculptured form en-
twined,
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined;
Wondering, gaZed, and still onderod more,
To think so many should have passed it DER.
But oh that form so beautiful to see,
Soon made its hidden SORROWS known to me,
IhOrRs lay beneath those flowers and coors
fair;
Sorowing I said, 'Thts 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 crOTn.'
At length to him raised my saddened heart,
He knew its sorrows, bid its doubts depart.
BE not afraid, He said, but trust in me,
My perfect love shall now be shown to thee
And then with lightcncd eyes and willing feet,
Again turned, my earthly cross to meet,
With forward footsteps turning not aside,
For fear some hidden evil might bctide.
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 thankfuness, raised it from the rest
And oyfully 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
l saw heavenly brightness on it rest,
And as bent, my burden to sustain,
recognized my Orn old cross again.!
But oh how different did it seem to be,
Now had learned its preciousucss to sec,
No longer could unbelievmg say,
Perhaps another is better way.
Oh, no hcnceforth my own desire shall be,
That He who knows me best should choose
for me,
And so what Ger His love secs good to send,
| trust its best, because He knows the end"