Classic Poem

THE CROSS .

The strongest light casts deepest shade,
The dearest love makes dreariest loss;
And she His birth so blest had made
Stood by Him dying on the cross.

Yet, since not grief but joy shall last,
The day and not the night abide,
And all time's shadows, earthward cast,
Are lights upon the " other side; "

Through what long bliss that shall not fail,
That darkest hour shall brighten on!
Better than any angel's " Hail! "
The memory of " Behold thy son! "

Blest in thy lowly heart to store
The homage paid at Bethlehem,
But far more blessed evermore
Thus to have shared the taunts and shame;

Thus with thy pierced heart to have stood
'Mid mocking crowds, and owned Him thine;
True through a world's ingratitude,
And owned in death by lips Divine.