p. 1 | BITTER-SWEET by Samuel W. Duffield

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1872

BITTER—SWEET

By Samuel W. Duffield

LAKMAN the Wise received a bitter gourd— Harsh-rinded, scar'd, evil to the taste— Bestowed upon him by his generous Lord, While melons sweet and juicy went to waste.

Men looked to see what the wise man would do, Getting, instead of fruit, a thing most vile; But he, regarding old gifts more than new, Stretched forth his hand and took it with a smile.

Then grew the wonder, as, in sight of all, He broke the rind and ate with face serene, Leaving no portion, whether great or small, To bear them witness what the gift had been.

And then he said, as on their lips he saw Amazement putting on a garb of speech, “ Hearken, O friends, and gain the royal law, That he who will not learn can never teach.

“And shall not I, so long sustained and fed From the kind hand that lifts me by degrees, Receive whatever for my daily bread His bounty furnishes, and be at peace?”

For thus appears a wisdom truly wise! A service free from self; and if we take That which at first we view with doubtful eyes, It is transformed when eaten for His sake.

O Lord, my God, how often in my pride I crave the sweet and let the bitter go; Forgetful that no gifts are misapplied, And that I know not as I ought to know.

—Rev. Samuel W. Duffield.