Thorns and Flowers by Sel.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 1, 1876

Thorns and Flowers.

By Sel.

God's ways are not as our ways, his thoughts are not as ours; He wounds us sore with cruel thorns, where we have stooped for flowers; But, oh! 'tis from the oft-pierced heart those precious drops distil, That many a life, else all unblest, with healing balm shall fill.

Then give, oh, give the flowers to those who pray it so may be! But I would choose to have the thorns with thee, dear Lord, with thee.

Man judgeth man in ignorance, he seeth but in part; Our trust is in our Maker, God, who searcheth every heart.

And every wrong, and every woe, when put beneath our feet, As 'stepping-stones may help us on to his high mercy-seat. Then teach us still to smile, O Lord! though sharp the stones may be, Remembering that they bring us near to thee, dear Lord, to thee. —Sel.