Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-29
NO. l47.
2ustifal.
THE CHANGED CROSS.

1t was time of sadness, and my heart
Although it knew and loved 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
My trial tests of faith and love to be-
1t seemed as II never could be sure
That faithful to the end should endure,
And thus no longer trusting to Els might,
Who says, 1--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 whom daily see;
OH il might another burden choose
Methinks should not fear my crown to lose
solemn silence regned on all around
Fen natures voices uttered not sound;
The evening shadows seemed of peace to tell.
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
moments pause and then heavenly light
Beamed full upon my wondering, 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,
<Auu IOuOA NE StU, Il aiu TIE 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 there was more beauteous to behold
little one, with jewels set in gold;
All this, methought, can with comfort wear,
For 1t will be an easy one to bear.
And SO the little cross quickly took,
But all at ence my frame beneath it shook;
The sparkling jewels fair were they to see,
But far too heavy was their freight for mee
This may not be, l CRIED and looked again,
To see if any there could ease my pain;
But one by one passed me slowly by,
Till on lovely one cast my eye;
Fair flowers around Its sculptured form entwined
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined;
Wondering, gazed, and still wondered 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;
Thorns lay beneath those flowers and colors fair ::
Sorrowing, said, This 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 CROWN
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-
NV perfect love shall now be shown to thee.n
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 might betide.
And there, in the prepared, appointed way
Listening to hear and ready to obey
a cross quickly found of planest 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,
l saw a heavenly brightness on 1t 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 It's preciOusness to see
No longer could unbelieveng say,
Perhaps another is a better way.
All, no henceforth my own desire shall be,
That he who knows me best should choose for NE +;
And so whate'er his love sees good to send,
Eli trust it best, because He knows the end.