The Cross—The Master

Mission of the Twelve. Instructions.

(The Gospel History, Section 59)

And he that doth not take up his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

The Cross—The Master

(The Saviour of the World, Vol III Book IV Poem XXXVIII)

My children, see, before you as ye go,

A shape of dread;

Close as your shadow, ever lying low

On path ye tread—

See its two arms extended, straight mid-line—

Ye know the sign!

Image of shame, it is the Cross ye see,
Cross raised for Malefactors—and for Me!

And ye who follow shall take up your cross,

Nor fear the shame;

Shall suffer gladly ignominy, loss,

Good neighbours’ blame:

To stand ye well with men, seek not at all,

But give Me all!

The thing ye shrink from, hate, that go and do,—
Lo, I am with you alway, the day through!

None followeth Me but lifts and bears that weight

Through slights and scorn,

Through trials manifold, through anguish great,

Despised, forlorn!

Disciple, he, who bears the bitter cross

To this world’s loss:

See, he is worthy of that fullest bliss,—
Reserved for him who loves—The Bridegroom’s kiss!

But he that finds his life, its grace and joy,

Men’s praise, success,

Who spends his easy days without annoy—

He shall go less!

The life he chooseth shall elude his grasp;

His fingers’ clasp

Shall not retain those joys he held so dear;
Me hath he bartered for things small and near!

But who for My sake his dear life shall lose—

Each fond delight,

Each pleasure perilous shall straight refuse

In My sole might,—

I tell you, that he gives, he finds again;

And every pain

Sustained for Me becomes a jewel, wrought
In that fair crown for him on Cross I bought!

St. Matthew x. 38, 39.