171. O’er All the Earth the Cross Is Spreading

1. O’er all the earth the cross is spreading
Its mighty arms of woe and grief;
Where’er the feet of men are treading
The cross stands out in bold relief.

2. In countless gloomy forms and fearful,
The cross nears thee with piercing dart;
For trials, woes, and sufferings tearful
All place the cross upon your heart.

3. Be sure of this, the cross will find thee,
No matter whither thou wouldst flee;
If thou wouldst put the cross behind thee,
Its burden will but heavier be.

4. Shun not the cross with all its anguish,
For Christ our Savior suffered there;
For us He on the cross did languish
Eternal gladness to prepare.

5. Yet, that its burden may be lightened,
O learn the lesson of the cross;
By it each dreary way is brightened
And comfort comes for every loss.

6. The cross has two beams bound together,
Laid crosswise at the right degree;
Yet if they parallel each other,
The cross has thereby ceased to be.

7. And thus the cross itself explaineth
Why burdens heavy are indeed,
And also how the burden waneth,
How souls from sorrow may be freed!

8. The longer beam, God’s will in heaven;
Crosswise our will against it lies; -
Thus in the cross our woe is given,
And what God sends brings tears and sighs.

9. Do not withstsand therefore God’s leading,
Although His hand may press severe;
By patience conquer self-will, - heeding
How cross and suffering disappear!

10. If thus thou put they will behind thee
And do whatever will thy Lord;
Then thou in suffering, peace wilt find thee,
And Jesus’ grace is thy reward.

11. With Jesus bear all thou must suffer,
And fear the cross of life no more;
For when thy journey here is over,
The cross will open heaven’s door!