p. 62 | BITTER SWEET by Samuel W. Duffield

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 8, 1871

BITTER SWEET.

By Samuel W. Duffield

LANKMAN the wise received a bitter gourd— Harsh rinded, acrid, evil to the taste— Bestowed upon him by his generous lord, While many 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 the 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 that kind hand which 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 craved 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.