The school of Heaven By Octavius Winslow

(Octavius Winslow, "Evening Thoughts")

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we 
are filled with joy. Those who sow in tears, will 
reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:3, 5

We can praise God for trials!

We can thank God for sorrows!

These have been to us, though a painful — yet 
a much needed and a most blessed school.

The 'wilderness' has been a heavenly place on earth . . . 
the lessons which we have been taught, 
the truths which we have learned, 
the preciousness of Jesus which we have experienced, 
the love of God which we have felt, 
the sweetness in prayer which we have tasted, 
and the fitness for labor which we have derived, 
all, all testify, as with one voice — to the unutterably 
precious blessings that flow through the channel of 
sacred and sanctified sorrow.

Dear reader, as painful and sad as may be the path 
you now are treading — fear not; the outcome will 
be most glorious. The seed you are sowing in tears,
shall yield you a golden harvest of joy!

Adversity is the school of Heaven!

And in Heaven . . . . 
where no sorrow chafes, 
where no tears flow, 
where no blight withers, 
where no disappointment sickens, and 
where no sad change chills, wounds, and slays, 
the sweetest praises will be awakened by the 
recollection of the sanctified sorrows of earth!

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