The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-22
bfning Star and Catholic Messenger.
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THE CHANGED CROSS

INV ORLEANS. SUNDAY. FEBRUARY %. 1874.
THE CHANGED CROSS.
~ It was . time OF sadness. and my heart,
.} y Though IL knew and feltthe better part.
Felt wearied with the conflict ane the strife,
And all the needful discipline Of life.
And while thought on these given to me-
NY trial tests otfaith and love to be-
< 1t seemed as u 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
q 8opbting and almost yielding to despair.
"a ne thought arose-my cross cannot bear.
n Eor heavier its weight must surely be
n Than those of others which daily seei
OIL II might another burden choose.
y Nsthinks should not fear my crown to lose.
n <5emn silence reigned on all around
~ Natures voices uttered not q sound;
q - evening shadows seemed of peace to tell.
.<d y sleep upon my weaiied spirit fell.
snent's pause, and then heavenly light
Nd full upon my wandering raptured sight,
lis On siivery wings seemed everywhere,
nagels music thrilled the balmy air.
i Is d One, more fair than all the rest to
~ fYao whom ali the others bowed the knee
Ga1be gently to me, as trembling lay,
An " follow me-" He said, II am the way"
y Than speaking thus, He led me far above;
Nd shore. beneath the canopy Of love,
Erosnes of divers shapes and size were seen,
& Larger and smaller than my own had been
S&&& one there was most beauteous to behold
title one, with jewels set in gold:
this. methought, can with comfort wear.
5e&E9Fit will be easy one to bear.
ia so the little cross quickly took,
4 H1s all at once my frame beneath it shook;
TIE sparkling Jewels fair were they to see.
Bnt far too heavy was :heir weight for me.
X. Hhzs 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,
1; sTNi on a lovely one cast my eye.
aNa5r flowers around its sculptured form entwined
Z lf&Hd grace and beauty seemed in it mbined;
}ondering, gazed and still wondered more
.Eo think so many should have passed it Ger
xsl1nt oh ! that form so beautiful to SEQ,
ss5Aan made its hidden sorrows known to me:
2horns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair,
rxrowing, said, This cross may not bear
lad so it was with each and all around:
Met to suit my need could there be found;
Heeping laid each heavy burden down,
"a ~ my Guide gently said, No cross, CROWN
30 length to him raised my saddened heart:
37eknew it's sorrows, bid its doubts depart.
g 30 not afraid" He said, {" but trust in me-
NY perfect love shall now be shown to thee"
And then, with lightened eyes and willing feet,
gain turned, my earthly cross to meet.
with forward footsteps, turning not aside,
s&Epr fear sudden evil might betide
q And there, in the prepared. appointed way
% Listening to hear, and ready to obey
Il A cross quickly found of plainest form,
\ With only words of love inscribed thereon.
With tbankfulness raised it from the rest
And joyfully acknowledged it the best
The only of all the many there
That could feel was good for to bear.
And while thus my chosen confessed,
4 saw heavenly brightness on it rest
i And as bent my burden to sustain,
4 recognized my own old cross again
4 But oh how different did it seem to be
j Now had learned its preciousuess too see!
4 No longer could I, unbslieving, say,
1 Perhaps another Is n better way.
All, no! henceforth my own desire shall be
That He who knows mo best should choose for me
And whateer His love good to send.
: Ill trust it's best, because He knows the end.