Middletown transcript., 1893-07-08
THE CHANGED CROSS.

Itwas time of sadness, and my heart,
Although it knew and loved the better par
Felt wearied with the conflict aud the strif,
And all the needfui discipline of life.
: And while thought ON these as given to me
My trial tests of faith and love to be-
1t seemed as if never could be sure
That faithful to the end should endure.
Who says, 1--WE walk by faith, and not b,
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 1 daily see.
Obi 1t might another burden choose,
Methinks should not fear my crown 10 lose
solemn silence reigncd on all around
Fen sture's voice uttered not a sound;
The evening shadows seemed OF peace to tell
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
A moments pausc-And then heavenly
light
Beamed upon my wondering, raptured sight
Angles on silvery wings seemed everywhere
And angles, music filled the balmy air.
Then, One, more fair then all the rest to see,
One to whom all the others bowed the knee,
Came gently to me as trembling lay,
A Id, .Foilow me!'He said, 81 am the W ay -
I len, speakIng thus, He led me far above,
and there beneath canopy of love,
. Crosses of divers shape and size were seen,
Larger aud smaller thln-my own had been.
And one there was most beauteous to behold
little one withjewels set in gold.
Ali this, ,methought,I can with comfort wear,
For it Will be an easy one to bear.
And so tha little cross quickly took;
But all at once, my frame beneath 1t shook
The sparkling jewels fair were they TO see,
But far too heavy was their weight tor 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 u 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 o'c..
But oh! that form so beautitu' to see
pon made its hidden sorrows known to me;
Thorns lay beneath th.se flowers and colors
fair!
sorrowIng, said: This cross I may no
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
h art,
He knew its sorrows. bid its doubts depart.
..Be not afraid" He said, .'but trust in me
NY perfect love shall now be shown to thee"
And then with Iightened eyes and willing
feet,
Again t urned, my earthly cross to meet,
VITA forward footsteps turning not aside,
For tear some hidden evil might betide;
And therein the prepared, appointed way,
Listening to hear, and ready to obey
cross quickly found OF piainest form,
With only words of love inscribed thereon
With thankfulness raised 1t from the rest, |
And joyfully acknowledged it the best
The only one OF all the many there
That could feel was good tor me to bear.
And. while thus my chosen one confessed, |
1 saw a heavenly brightness on it rest;
And as bent, my burden to sustain,
I recognized my own old cross again.
But ohI how different did it seem to be
Now had learned its preciousness to soc!
No longer could unbelieving say,
Per haps another is better way.
All no! heuceforth my own desire shall be,
That He who knows me best should choose
for inc,
And so, whate'er His love sees good to send,
I'll trust it's be st, because he knows the end.