[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0819":3},"AUGUST 19\r\nAs sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2Cor. 6:10).\r\nSorrow was beautiful, but her beauty was the beauty of the\r\nmoonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the  wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below.\r\nWhen Sorrow sang, her notes were like the low sweet call of the\r\nnightingale, and in her eyes was the unexpectant gaze of one who\r\nhas ceased to look for coming gladness. She could weep in tender    sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to her.\r\nJoy was beautiful, too, but his was the radiant beauty of the\r\nsummer morning. His eyes still held the glad laughter of childhood, and his hair had the glint of the sunshine's kiss. When Joy sang\r\nhis voice soared upward as the lark's, and his step was the step of   a conqueror who has never known defeat. He could rejoice with all   who rejoice, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to him.\r\n\"But we can never be united,\" said Sorrow wistfully.\r\n\"No, never.\" And Joy's eyes shadowed as he spoke. \"My path Des through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom for my\r\ngathering, and the blackbirds and thrushes await my coming to pour forth their most joyous lays.\"\r\n\"My path, \" said Sorrow, turning slowly away, \"leads through the\r\ndarkening woods, with moon-flowers only shall my hands be filled.\r\nYet the sweetest of all earth-songs-the love song of the night-shall be mine; farewell, Joy, farewell.\"\r\nEven as she spoke they became conscious of a form standing beside them; dimly seen, but of a Kingly Presence, and a great and holy\r\nawe stole over them as they sank on their knees before Him.\r\n\"I see Him as the King of Joy,\" whispered Sorrow, \"for on His Head are many crowns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the    scars of a great victory. Before Him all my sorrow is melting away\r\ninto deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever.\"\r\n\"Nay, Sorrow,\" said Joy softly, \"but I see Him as the King of\r\nSorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great agony. I, too, give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be\r\nsweeter than any joy that I have know.\"\r\n\"Then we are one in Him,\" they cried in gladness, \"for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow.\"\r\nHand in Hand they passed out into the world to follow Him through    storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the wan-nth of summer gladness, \"as sorrowful yet always rejoicing.\"\r\nShould Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder, And walk with thee in silence on life's way,\r\nWhile Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder, Becomes to thee more distant day by day?\r\nShrink not from the companionship of Sorrow, She is the messenger of God to thee;\r\n\r\nAnd thou wilt thank Him in His great tomorrow-\r\nFor what thou knowest not now, thou then shalt see; She is God's angel, clad in weeds of night,\r\nWith \"whom we walk by faith and not by sight.\"",1783499793313]