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THORN BLOSSOMS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Feb 22, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 8.

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THE HOME
THE HOME

THORN BLOSSOMS.

By Julia H. Duffie

BEAUTIFUL emblems of innocence sweet, Snow of the spring-time molded in bloom, Forming a mantle of whiteness complete, Can it be your pure lives know aught of earth's gloom?
Ah, silently there under each snowy spray Clusters of thorns all defiantly stand, Holding their stern and merciless sway, Piercing and wounding each venturesome hand!
Again do we learn the sad story of old In conning the lesson you teach us once more, That for each whitened soul brought back to the fold, A crown of sharp thorns the Master once bore.
"Tho your sins be as scarlet, I'll make them like snow." The promise is certain to all who comply; Yet forget not the thorns which wounded Him so, While now the fair blossoms are gladd'ning the eye.
And thus in each life which the Master would use Some thorns are there scattered which oftentimes sting. Then let us not fret if our hands they abuse. But nurture the flow'rs they were planted to bring.
JULIA H. DUFFIE.