Accepting the Cross by M. A. Hamlin

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 5, 1882

Accepting the Cross.

By M. A. Hamlin

"MOTHER," said a young son, after listening as the singers repeated with apparent fervor the beautiful words:—

"Nearer, my God to thee, Nearer to thee; E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me. Still all my song shall be, Nearer my God, to thee. Nearer to thee."—

"I do not think people realize what they are doing when they are singing the prayer in that hymn; and they ought to be careful not to pray what they would not be willing God should answer by taking them at their word. Now I don't think many people want to be drawn nearer to God by crosses."

His mother explained that Christians who love God supremely, desire to be drawn nearer him, even though they bear the consecrated cross for his sake. "Jesus said, 'Take up thy cross and follow me.'"

"Yes, but mother," said the little fellow, "they don't know what the cross may be, or how hard it may be to bear it;" and to make the argument more suggestive he added: "suppose it should be your cross to have me grow up a very bad, wicked man, would it draw you nearer to God? would you love him better?"

The mother, knowing her boy understood something

of her deep anxiety for his early consecration to God, was struck with quick conviction of her own utter weakness; and with a secret prayer to the unfailing Source of strength to be able to endure what He might see fit to allow her to endure for his sake, tried, with tears, to exhort her dear boy to early give his heart into the kind keeping of the great Shepherd of our souls, that they might both be drawn nearer the bleeding side of the Redeemer, by living faith, and not wait for the chastening of his rod.

O, how often have all of us who are Christians, after being uplifted into the spirit of consecration expressed by the author of the hymn referred to, and having felt that we were privileged to enter the secret places of the Most High, been brought to realize the application of the words by some sudden and unexpected cross—some giving up or breaking down of cherished idols, unseen until revealed by his Spirit in answer to prayer. God help us in our prayers and singing to feel that it is for Him to choose our cross for us.

I am reminded of a time when unexpectedly prostrated by severe illness, among strangers, under trying circumstances, an aged brother used often to come of a morning, and after the usual salutations and inquiries, say: "Well, Mary, who is to choose your cross to-day? Remember if you choose it, you must bear it alone; but if God chooses it for you, Christ will help you bear it; so it will be easier for you if you let him choose." I did realize the difference between taking up an unnecessary care and making it a cross, or with a sense of my dependence passively lying back in the arms of Him who governs the universe, knowing that it was my Father whose hand chastened, that he was abundantly able to care for me, and that no unnecessary burden should be laid upon the child who trusted in his strength and love. Then it was I came to see that he was testing the love I bare for him, and that "underneath were the Everlasting Arms."

There is a law of compensation connected with the love of Christ. Those who "endure as seeing him who is invisible," have an experience of rainbow light and beauty upon the path to heaven; and the heart leaps with joy as it sings:—

"I've found a joy in sorrow, A secret balm for pain, A beautiful to-morrow Of sunshine after rain; I've found a branch of healing Near every bitter spring, A whispered promise stealing O'er every broken string." —M. A. Hamlin, in Messiah's Herald.