University of Virginia Library

We learn by suff'ring, while by faith we live,
And graces brighten as our griefs expand:
But, where indeed, between the woe endured
And height of glory in a heaven to come
Of being, is the true connection found,—
Baffles our reason, in this cloud of flesh
Now to unfold. Yet this, at least, we learn,
The Head of manhood was a suff'ring Head,
And all His members, by their mystic pangs
But echo back what Thy pure bosom felt,
Eternal Archetype of life and faith,
Whom all things emblem! Here alone, there dawn
Truths which illumine what might else appear
Darkness infernal, deep, and black, and dense
To suffocation. Here, some aims profound,
Whose roots are in eternity's result,
Arrest the tear, and calm to chasten'd awe
Secret rebellions of the soul within.
The good shall suffer; yet, if goodness be
To nature fall'n, but the noble part
Of trial, when by sin-consuming grace
Pure love is deepen'd,—not for this repine
The brave adorers of The Crucified!
They glory rather in the racking fires;
The more of grief, the more of God they have,
And do (what seraphim have never done)
Suffer for Christ!—man's pure distinction this!
His high prerogative, His peerless crown
Appointed. Devils for themselves endure,
And angels, quick as sunbeams, glide and go
At His command, and own Him Liege, and Lord;
But Virtue, by the church's heart reveal'd,
Mounts to a range sublimer, and excels
Beyond the burning Watchers round His throne:
For, she can suffer; and by suff'ring learn
Lessons transcending what the angels teach.

And more than this th' afflicted church evolves.
From Abel's cry, to Luther's convent-groan,
Self was our ruin; into that, direct
From God, creation's first apostate fell;
And out of that, alone can Flesh arise,
By will surrender'd, crucified, and slain,
And by the sovereignties of Will Supreme
Master'd, and moulded. Thus, the saints are train'd
From strength to strength, by educating woes,
To loathe that vampire of creation—Sin!
With hate celestial, and on God to live;
While in that Book, whose promises, like stars,
Rule in the night, a radiant charm they have,
O'er all the dim perplexities of doom
Beaming mild comfort, through the blackest woe
Which palls the christian, or a church portends.