THE BENEFIT OF SORROW by S. S. Times

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1889

THE BENEFIT OF SORROW.

By S. S. Times

SORROW is not just the same in its first hours and in its later remembrance. In the earliest shock of a great grief, it seems to the mourner that he can never know joy again. But there are those who once sorrowed sorely, and yet are now without a sense of grief or loss. So evident is the possibility of a forgetfulness of personal bereavement, that there are mourners who seek to drown their sorrow, in order that it may be forgotten; while other mourners deliberately nurse their grief, lest they should forget it. Sorrow can never do its best work in a human heart if, on the one hand it is forgotten, or if, on the other hand, it is nursed. It ought, indeed, to be struggled with, and yet to be borne in memory. Its chastening influence should abide in the heart long after the keenness of its pain has ceased to unnerve the mourner for his daily life-toil. He has failed of profiting by the true ministry of sorrow, who no longer bears his sorrow in mind, or who wishes it might be forgotten.

"They are poor That have lost nothing; they are poorer far Who, losing, have forgotten; they are most poor Of all, who lose, and wish they might forget."

He also has failed of this profiting, who so selfishly cherishes his sorrow that it stands between him and his loving ministry of good to others, in added tenderness of helpful sympathy.

"Grief should be Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate, Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free: Strong to consume small troubles; to commend Great thoughts, grave thoughts, thoughts lasting to the end." —S. S. Times.