p. 199 | Benefit of Sorrow

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 6, 1858

Benefit of Sorrow.

Sorrow is the atmosphere in which real excellence best thrives. To mortal shortsightedness, unable to fathom the designs of Omniscient wisdom, it may seem strange that the weakness of an hour should sometimes incur a more fearful temporal punishment than the crimes of a whole life; but if the sufferings

"Which patient merit of th' unworthy takes,"

set forth the honor of the Creator, improve the world, and sublimate the victim's faith, most certainly will this last bear its reward with it. The ocean is purified by turbulence; the candle burns brighter by consumption of itself; and thus the human mind is cleared from evil by the agitation of sorrow, and the martyr's faith shines most radiantly in the hour of physical dissolution!