THE BURDENS THAT BEAR US ON.
By C. M. Snow
O'ER the mountains bleak, through snow and cold,
Runs a narrow trail to the land of gold;
And the feet of youth and of trembling age
Are threading that path for that glittering wage.
Year in, year out, through sleet and rain,
While upward toiled that stooping train,
Men bowed their backs to loads not theirs,
And sweat and strained on those toil-worn stairs.
They climb that path, they descend it again,
To bear the burdens of other men,
With tired limbs and backs low bent,
They saw but the path where their comrades went.
These packer men are a sturdy band;
They are helpers of men to that promised land,
So long they toil on that steep, rough road,
That they scarce can climb when they bear no load;
And their feet so sure when a load they bore
They scarce dare trust when their toil is o'er. There are ships that ride on a placid sea
Like glad sea-birds from their cage let free;
But the wind comes down, and the waves leap high,
And the lightnings spring from an angry sky;
And the ship that sped so light, so well,
Goes down in the rush of the great sea swell.
There are other ships, and low they ride,
Sunk deep by their load in the rushing tide.
It matters little how fierce the gale,
They drive straight on with a straining sail;
And one bright day, on some harbor tide
At anchor safe that ship shall ride.
We can not climb if we bear no load,
Nor safely sail with no cargo stowed.
So he who rests must labor again—
Must shoulder his load for the souls of men.
I may rest awhile ere the day decline,
But the cares I carried are always mine.
When the day is done and the labor o'er;
Our God will know all the load we bore;
Then the record stands like a page full writ,
And the record angel is filing it.
Swift speed the days toward our glad release
From the toils that tire while our loads increase;
And the time that is is a precious boon
That will close for some, Ah, all too soon.
'Tis a branch of eternity bending down
With the fruit we bring for our judgment crown.
Then rest, yea rest, for the strength 'twill bring
To battle again for our conquering King.
Let thy one motive His glory be
Till thou stand with Him on the glassy sea.