If I am in distress, it is in the interests of your comfort, which is effective as it nerves you to endure the same sufferings as I suffered myself. Hence my hope for you is well-founded, since I know that as you share the sufferings you share the comfort also"(2 Cor.
Are there not some in your circle to whom you naturally betake yourself in times of trial and sorrow? They always seem to speak the right word, to give the very counsel you are longing for; you do not realize, however, the cost which they had to pay ere they became so skillful in binding up the gaping wounds and drying tears. But if you were to investigate their past history you would find that they have suffered more than most. They have watched the slow untwisting of some silver cord on which the lamp of life hung. They have seen the golden bowl of joy dashed to their feet, and its contents spilt. They have stood by ebbing tides, and drooping gourds, and noon sunsets; but all this has been necessary to make them the nurses, the physicians, the priests of men. The boxes that come from foreign climes are clumsy enough; but they contain spices which scent the air with the fragrance of the Orient. So suffering is rough and hard to bear; but it hides beneath it discipline, education, possibilities, which not only leave us nobler, but perfect us to help others. Do not fret, or set your teeth, or wait doggedly for the suffering to pass; but get out of it all you can, both for yourself and for your service to your generation, according to the will of God. ━Selected
Once I heard a song of sweetness
As it cleft the morning air
Sounding in its blest completeness
Like a tender, pleading prayer
And I sought to find the singer
Whence the wondrous song was borne
And I found e bird, sore wounded
Pinioned by a cruel thorn.
I have seen a soul in sadness
While its wings toith pain were furl'd
Giving hope, and cheer and gladness
That should bless a weeping world
And I knew that life of sweetness
Was of pain and sorrow borne
And a stricken soul was singing
With its heart against a thorn.
Ye are told of One who loved you
Of a Saviour crucified
Ye are told of nails that pinioned
And a spear that pierced His side
Ye are told of cruel scourging
Of a Saviour bearing scorn
And He died for your salvation
With His brow against a thorn.
Ye "are not above the Master.
Will you breathe a sweet refrain
And His grace will be sufficient
When your heart is pierced with pain.
Will you live to bless His loved ones
Tho'your life be bruised and torn
Like the bird that sang so sweetly
With its heart against a thorn
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