Wealth, friends, and glory gain;
had dealt with him. They followed him from the pier to his home later that night, and all of their sympathy aroused his temperament, but the Lord strongly forbade him to do anything. Then, as the brothers and sisters crowded around, waiting for a definite word, he told them that the Lord would not allow him to vindicate himself and that he would leave home the next morning for another place in order to stay away from that situation. He asked them to be quiet about it, and this made them all the more disappointed. In that difficult situation he learned a great deal about how to remain in the Lord's death practically and bear the cross in order to live by Christ and for Christ. During that time of suffering, he wrote the following hymn:
1. If I would only stray a bit, Then ease my lot would be; But I recall how Christ my Lord Did suffer faithfully.
2. The world I have forever left And severed all its ties; The way may yet more narrow grow And all against me rise.
3. But though the worldlings glare in rage; I seek His smiling face. Though outward glory others choose, I, His "well done" through grace.
4. My heart's desire is not for fame Nor profit in these days; I humbly wish to serve my Lord And gain that day His praise.
5. Unto the judgment seat of Christ I daily look away; May all my living and my work Abide the fire that day.
6. You may your reputation hold, Wealth, friends, and glory gain; You may win all success and praise, A following great obtain.
7. But I would be but lonely, poor, With no prosperity; My heart desires to follow Him And finish faithfully.
8. My Lord, when here on earth, I know, Gained nothing but the cross.