p. 150 | It Was Needed

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Mar 18, 1875

It Was Needed.

CHILD of God ! the load was needed Which has bowed you to the dust ; 'Tis your Father's hand that chastens ; In his love and mercy trust. Hard may seem the dispensation ; Dark the path you have to tread ; But his wisdom marks it for you— Lift up, then, your drooping head.

Do you mourn a loved one taken— One whose heart was all your own— Taken from your fond embraces, Leaving you bereft and lone ? Are you kneeling by the pillow Where the weary head's at rest ? Clasping cold and icy fingers Which so late your own had pressed ?

Do you think that Love would never Lay this burden on your heart ? Never would have sent the summons Bidding you and yours to part ? Ah ! your God can see the future Which is veiled from mortal sight, And he knew this trial needed, Though it robs your home of light.

Are you suffering, sadly tossing On a weary bed of pain, Through the long and aching hours, With a throbbing heart and brain ? Friends around are tending on you, But the suffering's hard to bear. And they cannot soothe its anguish, Though they strive with gentlest care.

Oh ! have those who loved forsaken— Those whose hearts you thought your own ? Have they, proving false and treacherous, Left you desolate and lone ? Is your head bowed down in sorrow ? Do you bear an aching heart ? It may be you wrongly worshiped— God saw best that you should part.

Do you mourn o'er disappointments— Are you brooding with dark fears, O'er the blighting of the prospects Fancy formed for future years ? Tread you the rough path desponding, Letting many a teardrop fall ? God afflicts you in compassion, There's a "need be" for it all.

Or, have other trials met you, Bitter, dreary, hard to bear, Almost crushing 'neath their burden, Almost driving to despair ? Oh ! believe that they were needed, Sent by him who reigns above ; Trust his wisdom, trust his mercy ; Christian ! trust your Father's love.