SORROW.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.—Psalm xxxii. 10.
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.—Ecclesiastes, vii. 3.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.—II. Corinthians, vii. 10.
Oh, sacred sorrow, by whom hearts are tried
Sent not to punish mortals, but to guide,
If thou art mine (and who shall proudly dare
To tell his Maker he has had his share?)
Still let me feel for what Thy pangs are sent,
And be my guide, and not my punishment.
From the Russian.
I suffer now for what hath former been,
Sorrow is held the eldest son of sin.
John Webster.
Peace was theirs, and harmony within,
They know no sorrow, for they know no sin.
Whyte.
Whate’er thy lot, whoe’er thou be,
Confess thy folly,—kiss the rod;
And in thy chastening sorrow, see
The hand of God.
A bruised reed He will not break—
Afflictions all His children feel:
He wounds them for His mercy’s sake—
He wounds to heal.
James Montgomery.
With boldness, therefore, at the throne
Let us make all our sorrows known;
And ask the aid of heavenly power
To help us in the evil hour.
Logan.
If affliction grasps thee rudely
And presents the rack and cup,
Drink the draught and brave the torture—
Even in despair,—look up!
Still look up! For One there liveth
With the will and power to save—
One who knows each human sorrow,
From the cradle to the grave.
J. L. Chester.