Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to header Skip to footer

Poems

[Written for the Journal]

THE DELAYED TRYST

From the January 1920 issue of The Christian Science Journal


For centuries have we been stupid, Lord,
     And to thy meaning not a little blind;
True, we have daily prayed, Thy kingdom come,
     And waited idly on the words, resigned
To leave fulfillment unto thee alone.
     Yet scanning them in fuller later light,
We see thou didst appoint for us a share
     To haste that coming, had we heard aright.

We have remembered thee at seasons, Lord,
     With broken bread and sacramental wine,
Deeming the action meant observance full,—
     That outward symbol was the rite divine.
With reverent hearts and holden eyes we bent
      Before thy altar in communion blest;
Then wondered that the kingdom was delayed
      When word and sign thy memory confessed.

But ah, dear Lord, our eyes are now unclosed.
     And for our hearts earth's baneful rest is ceased.
We comprehend the import of those words
     Spoken by thee at thy last paschal feast.
This is my broken body, thou declared,
      As bread was offered; and when passed the wine:
This is my blood of the new testament;
      Drink all of it, yea, all, ye friends of mine.

Sign up for unlimited access

You've accessed 1 piece of free Journal content

Subscribe

Subscription aid available

 Try free

No card required

More In This Issue / January 1920

concord-web-promo-graphic

Explore Concord—see where it takes you.

Search the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures