THE ANSWERED PRAYER by Emily Tolman

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 12, 1892

THE ANSWERED PRAYER.

By Emily Tolman

BY EMILY TOLMAN.

I PRAYED that I the love of Christ might know, And little dreamed for what I made my prayer. Could he on me this priceless boon bestow? Could I know love like his so passing fair? Who would such wondrous grace attain Must tread, like him, a path of pain.

He showed me those I counted friends could sleep In midst of my most dread Gethsemane; That they for whom my yearning heart would weep, In selfish fear could flee, nor think of me; And said, "Wilt thou my suffering share, Thou shalt find answer to thy prayer."

A crown of thorns was placed upon my head; They pressed it hard upon my bleeding brow. "'Tis ever thus that men crown love," he said; "A little of my love thou may'st know now. In patience, then, this chaplet wear, And thus find answer to thy prayer."

And yet my love grew still more deep and strong, Till day and night I raised one ceaseless cry: "Forgive, and lay not to their charge this wrong; Oh, save these, Lord, though for them I should die!" "That thou," he said, "the cross would'st bear, Is proof that thou my love dost share."

And now I thank him for the lesson sweet, The lesson learned through sacrifice and pain, Since it has brought me nearer to his feet— Nor count the loss for the far greater gain. In heart enriched with treasure rare I find the answer to my prayer. —Sel.