Suffering

One of the greatest of true religion is in bearing suffering . At such a time we are apt , if we are professing Christians , to exact a certain constraint over ourselves , and bear ourselves heriocallyWe have read of people in like circumstances who have not shed a tear or uttered a complaining word ;and we have braced ourselves to a Christian stoicism . Yet beneath the correct exterior there may be the pride and haughtiness of an altogether unsubdued self .
There is a more excellent way ; to humble oneself under the mighty hand of God ; to search the heart for any dross that needs to be burnt out ; to resign oneself to the will of the Father ; to endeavour to learn the lesson in the black lettered book ; to seek to manifest the specific grace for which the trial calls ; to be very tender and thoughtful for others ; to live deeper down .
"Nearer my God to Thee ! nearer to Thee!
Ev'n though it be a cross that raiseth me ,
Still all my song shall be ,-Nearer my God to Thee! Nearer to Thee!"

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