The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-03-02
THE CHANGED CROSS.

1t was time of sadness, and my heart,
(Altho1i it knew and felt the better party
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needful discipline of life;
And while thought of them as given to me,
My trlal-tests of faith and love to be
1t seemed as if l never could be sure
That, faithful to the end should endure
And thus, no longer trusting in His might,
Who says 9" 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;
O, if [ might some others burden choose
Methinks should not fear my crown to lose.
solemn silence reigned on all around,
EN- natures voices uttered not sound,
The evenings shadows seemed of fear to ell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
moments pause, and then heavenly light
Beamed full upon my wandering raptured 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 the others bowed the knee
Came gently to me as trembling lay,
And 8" 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 divers shape aud size were seen,
Larger and smaller than mine has been
And one there was most beauteous to behold
A little one with jewels set in gold
All 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 were they to see,
But far too heavy was their weight for me-
This may not be- / cried, and looked again,
To see if any there could ease my pain;
Bit, one by one, passed them slowly by,
Till on lovely one cast my eye;
Fair flowers round its sculptured form entwnod
And grace and beauty seemed in il combined,
Wondering, gazed and still l wondered more
To think SO many should have passed it DER.
But o. that form SO beautiful to see
Soon made its hidden sorrows known to me
Thorns lay meath those flowers and coIors fair
Sorrowing I said, 8. This cross may not bear y
And so it was with each and al around
Not ore to suit my need could there be found
Weeping, l laid each heavy burden down,
AS my guide gently said, 'sNo cross no crown. y
At length to Him raised my saddened heart
He knew its sorrows, babe its doubts depart;
" Be NOS afraid" He said, 6 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 footsteps turning not aside,
For fear some hidden evil miglt betide.
And then 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 1 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 bent, my burden to sustain,
recognized-my own old cross again
But 0 how different did it seem to be,
How l had learned its precousness to see
No longer could unbeieving say,
g Perhaps another's 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 its best, because he knows the end, 8
Wrenthem, mass. .s,.