Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore. And having done that, Thou hast done,
NEARING HOME.
It is a pleasant thought,
And I say it o'er and o'er,
That I'm nearer home to-day
Than I ever was before;
Nearer my Father's house,
Where the many mansions be,
Nearer the great white throne,
Nearer the jasper sea,
Nearer the bound of life,
Where we lay our burden down,
Nearer leaving my cross,
Nearer wearing my crown.
One part, one little part, we dimly scan,
Through the dark medium of life's fev'rish
Yet dare arraign the whole stupendous plan,
If but that little part incongruous seem;
Nor is that part perhaps what mortals deem :
Oft from apparent ills our blessings rise-
O then renounce that impious self-esteem,
That aims to trace the secrets of the skies ;
For thou art but of dust be humble and be wise.
It was a time of sadness, and my heart,
Although it knew and felt the better part,
Felt wearied with the conflict and the strife,
And all the needful discipline of life.
And while I thought on these as given to me
My trial tests of faith and love to be-
It seemed as if I never could be sure
That faithful to the end I should endure.
And thus, no longer trusting to his might,
Who says, "we walk by faith and not by sight,”
Doubting, and almost yielding to despair,
The thought arose - My cross I cannot bear.
Far heavier its weight must surely be
Than those of others which I daily see;
Oh! if I might another burden choose,
Methinks I should not fear my crown to lose.
A solemn silence reigned on all around
E'en Nature's voices uttered not a sound;
The evening shadows seemed of peace to tell,
And sleep upon my weary spirit fell.
A moment s pause, and then a heavenly light Beamed full upon my wondering, raptured sight; Angels on silvery wings seemed every where, 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 I trembling lay,
And "Follow me," He said, "I am the way."
Then, speaking thus, he led me far above;
And there, beneath a canopy of love,
Crosses of divers shapes and size were seen,
Larger and smaller than my own had been,
And one, that was most beauteous to behold
A little one, with jewels set in gold;
Ah! this, methought, I can with comfort wear,
For it will be an easy one to bear.
And so the little cross I 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 weight for me.
This may not be, I cried, and looked again,
To see if there was any here could ease my pain;
But one by one I passed them slowly by,
Till on a lovely one I cast my eye.
Fair flowers around its sculptured form entwined,
And grace and beauty seemed in it combined;
Wondering I gazed, and still I wondered more
To think so many should have passed it o'er.
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 I said, "This cross I may not bear."
And so it was with each and all around
Not one to suit my need could there be found;
Weeping, I laid each heavy burden down,
As my guide gently said, "No cross, no crown!"
At length, to Him I 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 lightened eyes and willing feet,
Again I 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 I quickly found of plainest form,
With only words of love inscribed thereon.
With thankfulness I raised it from the rest,
And joyfully acknowledged it the best
The only one of all the many there
"That I could feel was good for me to bear.
And while I thus my chosen one confessed,
I saw a heavenly brightness on it rest;
And as I bent, my burden to sustain,
I recognized my own old cross again!
But oh how different did it seem to be,
Now I had learned its preciousness to see!
No longer could I unbelieving say,
Perhaps another is a better way.
Ah, no! henceforth my own desire shall be,
That he who knows me best should choose for me;
And so whate'er His love sees good to send,
I'll trust it's best, because He knows the end.
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