THE Cross, if rightly borne, shall be No burden, but support to thee;" * So, moved of old time for our sake, The holy monk of Kempen spake. Thou brave and true one! upon whom Thy cross of suffering and of shame Thine was the seed-time; God alone The harvest-time is hid with Him. Yet, unforgotten where it lies, That seed of generous sacrifice, Shall rise with bloom and fruit at last. WHITTIER. WO sayings of the Holy Scriptures beat Like pulses in the Church's brow and breast; And, heart-deep in salt tears, do yet entreat By help of having loved a little, and mourned,- Which He who could not sin, yet suffered, turned On him who could reject, but not sustain ! MRS. E. B. BROWNING. HE Saviour looked on Peter. Ay, no wordNo gesture of reproach! The heavens serene, Though heavy with armed justice, did not lean Their thunders that way. The forsaken Lord Looked only on the traitor. None record What that look was; none guess: even those who have seen Wronged lovers loving through a death pang keen, And filled the silence, weeping bitterly. MRS. E. B. BROWNING. THINK that look of Christ might seem to say, "Thou, Peter! art thou then a common stone Which I at last must break my heart upon, For all God's charge, to His high angels, may Guard my foot better? Did I yesterday Wash thy feet, my beloved, that they should run Quick to deny me 'neath the morning sun,And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray ?The cock crows coldly.-Go, and manifest A late contrition, but no bootless fear! For when thy deathly need is obdurest, Thou shalt not be denied, as I am hereMy voice, to God and angels, shall attest,-Because I KNOW this man, let him be clear." MRS. E. B. BROWNING. |