THE CROSS | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 18, 1870

THE CROSS.

“If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another, and that perhaps a heavier one.”—THOMAS A KEMPIS.

I bent beneath the burden, That my weary shoulders bore, And I said in my despairing, I can take the cross no more; For the flesh is torn and bleeding, The step is faint and slow; I must rest me in my journey, I can no further go.

I see no other pilgrim With such a cross as mine, For some are wreathed with blossoms, And some with jewels shine; And those who bear the burden Seem smiling as the morn; No weight is in the jewels, And in the flowers no thorn.

Oh! give me, gentle Jesus, Some shorter cross to bear, Before I faint and sicken, Or yield me to despair; Or, if the load I carry Is for my shoulders made, Let me not bear it lonely, But give me human aid.

Thus in my utter weakness And faint with toil I cried; When he, the burden bearer, Came quickly to my side; “No other cross would fit thee,” He said in gentle tone, “This was in love provided, In ages that are gone.

“I bore it long before thee, And bore it for thy sake; No other hand can aid thee, Nor any burden take; Thy heart with human sorrow Is only known by me; Take up thy cross with patience, And I thy help will be.”