p. 15 | OUR BURDEN-BEARER

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 18, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 42.

OUR BURDEN-BEARER.

ONE brother writes from New York, inclosing the following good old poem as his testimony, and responds, "Glory to our Burden-bearer."

My Burden.

"God laid upon my back a grievous load,— A heavy cross to bear along the road. I staggered on, and lo! one weary day, A mighty lion sprang upon the way. I prayed to God, and swift at His command The cross became a weapon in my hand. It slew my raging enemy, and then Became a cross upon my back again. "I faltered many a league until at length Groaning, I fell, and had no further strength. 'O God,' I cried, 'I am so weak, and lame!' Then straight my cross a wingéd staff became. It swept me on till I regained the loss, And leaped upon my back again a cross. "I reached a desert. O'er the burning track I persevered, the cross upon my back. No shade was there, and in the cruel sun I sank at last, and thought my days were done. But lo, the Lord works many a blest surprise; The cross became a tree before my eyes! "I slept. I woke to feel the strength of ten; I found the cross upon my back again. And thus, through all my days from that to this, The cross, my burden, has become my bliss; Nor ever shall I lay the burden down, For God some day will make the cross a crown." L. C. BECKWITH. Matteawan, N. Y.