ENCOURAGEMENT by D. E. Henry

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 8, 1896

ENCOURAGEMENT.

By D. E. Henry

BY D. E. HENRY.

THERE are thorns among life's roses, Yet they do us wondrous good Did our mortal minds but know it; If we only understood,

We would count the pain but pleasure, Never shrinking from the wound, For with thorns, we must remember, Our dear Saviour's head was crowned.

It was thorns unmixed with flowers, Wore them there that we might live; Yet among the last words uttered Was that one grand word, "Forgive."

Shall we shrink from dark days coming? Shall we fail to firmly stand, When the black-robed persecution Lays on us her heavy hand?

Nay! we'll trust our loving Father, They are blessings in disguise, Only veiled by dusky shadows; Hid from our unseeing eyes.

And we'll but rejoice more for it, Since permitted by God's hand, It will make us nearer, dearer, In that longed-for heavenly land.

Welcome wound that brings a healing Greater far than pain we've borne; 'Tis our Father who is leading, Courage, faint ones, do not mourn!

Charlotte, Mich.