1 The heavier the cross, the nearer God;
No cross without, no God within!
The prince of darkness thus is trod,
Amid the world's false glare and din.
2 The heavier the cross, the better saint;
This is the touchstone God applies.
The gardens many would be faint,
3 The heavier the cross, the stronger faith:
The loaded palm strikes deeper root;
The vine juice sweetly issueth
When men have pressed the clustered fruit;
4 The heavier the cross, the deeper prayer;
The bruisèd herbs most fragrant are.
If sky and wind were always fair,
The sailor would not watch the star;
5 The heavier the cross, the more inspired;
From vales to climb to mountain crest;
The pilgrim, of the desert tired,
Longs for the Canaan of his rest.
6 The heavier the cross, the easier to die;
Death is a kinder face to see;
Our life's decay we dare defy,
From life's distress we then are free.
7 Thou Crucified! The cross I bear.
And lest I faint while ling'ring here,
Implant Thou such a heart in me