p. 10 | Cross Before Crown by J. Frederick Bishop

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1905

Cross Before Crown

By J. Frederick Bishop

Sick and despondent, weary of life, Tired of its heartaches, sorrow, and strife; Longing for rest, but finding no peace; Looking toward death as a happy release; Cease thy complaining, sad soul of mine, Accept without murmuring the lot which is thine; Remember the Saviour — the road that he trod; Know ye not that these trials lead upward to God?

Remember the mocking; remember the fully jeers, The thorn-crown, the scourging, the thick-falling tears; Remember the cross, the nails, and the spear, The anguish, the blood-sweat, the grave, lone and drear.

'Tis thus that the Lord with a love most benign Hath sanctified suffering, and made it divine; So, therefore, my soul, murmur not, nor complain, But rejoice o'er the sorrows, and count them as gain.

After the storm are the sunshine and flowers; After the darkness dawn life's brightest hours; After the tears come gladness and joy; Of what value is gold if unmixed with alloy?

Then, onward and upward, my soul, till the end! To the duty before thee thine energies bend; Be honest, be upright, be noble, be brave — 'Tis the soul of a coward would hide in the grave.

For if at the last the crown thou wouldst wear, It must be through suffering, sorrow, and care. It is through the cross we transcend unto life; That peace which is sweetest comes after the strife.

— J. Frederick Bishop, in the Living Church.