Remember that without trials you can not have triumphs. Paul says something about enduring hardness like good soldiers, thus recognizing the fact that hardness is the portion of a good soldier. If you are a worthy minister, you are sure to endure hardness, buffeting, persecution, and perils by false brethren; but, thank God, through all these you can be more than conqueror, and look forward to the final reward. Paul says, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." THE REFINER'S FIRE He sat by a fire of seven-fold heat, As he watched by the precious ore, And closer He bent with a searching gaze As he heated it more and more. He knew he had ore that could stand the test, And he wanted the finest gold To mold as a crown for the King to wear, Set with gems with a price untold. So he laid our gold in the burning fire, Though we fain would have said him "Nay," And he watched the dross that we had not seen, And it melted and passed away. And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright, But our eyes were so dim with tears, We saw but the fire, not the Master's hand, And questioned with anxious fears. Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow, As it mirrored a Form above, That bent o'er the fire, though unseen by us, With a look of ineffable love. Can we think that it pleases His loving heart To cause us a moment's pain? Ah, no! but He saw through the present cross The bliss of eternal gain. So He waited there with a watchful eye, With a love that is strong and sure, And His gold did not suffer a whit more heat End of Project Gutenberg's Trials and Triumphs of Faith, by Mary Cole