“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers
temptations; knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh
patience.”
JAMES i. 2, 3.
O! Father divine! may I count it all joy
To resign thee my husband and beautiful boy;
Though now I am weeping and breaking my heart,
Thou canst dry every tear and cure every smart.
Thou art teaching me patience by trying my faith,
This “fight of affliction” springs not from thy wrath;
It grieved thee, my Father, to punish me so,
But ’twas tenderest mercy that guided each blow.
May I bear, holy Father! this sorrow and pain,
And never, O! never, despond or complain;
Though all of my loved ones should sicken and die,
I will not, I dare not, thy goodness deny.
I have seen a sweet child, with a frown on his brow,
Ere his will had been taught to his father’s to bow;
I have seen him subdued, and the frown leave his face,
And the smile of affection beam bright in its place;
And he loved his kind father, who guided the rod;
Then sure I must love thee, my Father! my God!
Thou hast taken my treasures, and stricken me sore,
Yet more do I love thee than ever before.
Heart broken and sorrowing, Father, to thee,
On the wings of affection this moment I’ll flee;
If thou wilt be mine, I will “count it all joy”
To resign thee my husband and beautiful boy!