He who holds the pruning-knife

(J. R. Miller, "Making the Most of Life" 1891)

"Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes,
so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2

Every sorrow has a mission. It comes to us,
as God's messenger--with a message!

Of lessons to be learned in sorrow, the first
always is submission.

A strong, abiding confidence that all the trials,
sorrows, and losses of our lives are parts of our
Father's husbandry--ought to silence every
question, quiet every fear, and give peace and
restful assurance to our hearts in all their pain.
We cannot know the reason for the painful
strokes—but we know that He who holds
the pruning-knife is our Father! That ought
always to be enough for us to know.

"Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes,
so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2