SUFFERING | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 6, 1859

SUFFERING.

FROM THE GERMAN OF HARTTMAN.

TRIAL when it weighs severely Stamps the Saviour's image clearly On the heart of all his friends; In the frame his hands have molded Is a future life unfolded Through the suffering which he sends.

Suffering curbs our wayward passions, Childlike tempers in us fashions, And our will to his subdues; Thus his hand, so soft and healing, Each disordered power and feeling By a blessed change renews.

Suffering keeps the thoughts compacted, That the soul be not distracted By the world's beguiling art. 'Tis like some angelic warder Ever keeping sacred order In the chambers of the heart.

Suffering tunes the heart's emotion To eternity's devotion, And awakes a fond desire For the land where psalms are ringing, And with palms the martyrs singing Sweetly to the harpers' choir.

Suffering gives our faith assurance, Makes us patient in endurance. Suffering! who is worth thy pains? Here they call thee only torment— There they call thee a preferment, Which not every one attains.

Though in health, with powers unwasted, And with willing hearts we hasted To take up our Saviour's cross; If through trial our good Master Should refine these powers the faster, What good Christian counts it loss?

In the depth of its distresses, Each true heart the closer presses To His heart with ardent love; Ever longing, ever crying, O, conform me to thy dying, That I live with thee above!