C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

On Christian Patience

From ‘Hymns and Poems, Original and Translated,’ by Edward Caswall

Adversa mundi tolera

FOR Christ’s dear sake with courage bear

Whatever ills betide;

Prosperity is oft a snare,

And puffs the heart with pride.

What seemed thy loss will often prove

To be thy truest gain;

And sufferings borne with patient love

A jeweled crown obtain.

By this thou wilt the angels please,

Wilt glorify the Lord,

Thy neighbor’s faith and hope increase,

And earn a rich reward.

Brief is this life, and brief its pain,

But long the bliss to come;

Trials endured for Christ attain

A place with martyrdom.

The Christian soul by patience grows

More perfect day by day;

And brighter still, and brighter glows

With heaven’s eternal ray;

To Christ becomes more lovable,

More like the Saints on high;

Dear to the good; invincible

Against the Enemy.