p. 12 | Shadows by Clara Edna Rosencrans

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Sep 17, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 36.

Shadows

By Clara Edna Rosencrans

When my life went into the shadow, I shivered, and thought it chill, As the shade that creeps over the valley When the sun sinks under the hill. I feared to enter the shadow, For the way seemed dark and lone, And my heart was sick with dreading The unseen, the unknown.

I did not know that the shadow Was that of my Saviour's cross; That the joy of all fruition Lay under the seeming loss. I could see that the path was thorny, And the pitfalls I could see; But I could not see the Presence That walked so close to me.

Since my life has entered the shadow, I have found a blessing sweet; For the shade of the cross falls over Close, close to my faltering feet. Its coolness and rest invite me, And the flowers of peace are there, Forgiveness after sinning, And many an answered prayer.

And the darkness about is brightened With the light of my Saviour's smile So I fare me on in the darkness, And sing a song the while. What if my lips do falter, And the song oft ends in a sob? The crown will but be brighter, And fairer the shining robe, When my life goes out of the shadow, And the weary task is o'er. In the brightness, and not the shadow, I shall dwell forevermore.

The path is growing brighter, And the end of the way seems near; For I catch faint gleams of its beauty, And the music I sometimes hear Is leading me ever onward Into the perfect light, From the earth-life with its shadows To the land where there is no night.