Is not the way to heavenly gain

Is not the way to heavenly gainThrough earthly grief and loss?Rest must be won by toil and pain,—The crown repays the cross.

In tears and trials thou must sowTo reap in joy and love;We cannot find our home below,And hope for one above.

As woods, when shaken by the breeze,Take deeper, firmer root;As winter's frost but makes the treesAbound in summer fruit;

So every heaven-sent pang and throeThat Christian firmness tries,But nerves us for our work below,And forms us for the skies.