Mary At the Cross:

And Mary stood beside the cross !Her soul
Pierced with the self- same wound that rent His side
Who hung thereon .She watched Him ,as He died .
Her son! Saw Him paying the cruel toll
Exacted by the law ,and unbelief ,
Since He their evil will had dared defy .
There stood the mother helpless in her grief ,
Beside the cross ,and saw her frist-born die !

How many mothers in how many lands
Have bowed with Mary in her agony ,
In silence borne the wrath of war’s commands ,
When every hill is made a Calvary !

O pity , Lord ,these mothers of the slain ,
And grant their dead shall not have died in vain .
Jan Bagwell