Poems

It is not found in man-built walls, However strong they seem to be; Nor in the treasured bullion Of coffers kept with lock and key; Nor in possessions highly prized, Beset by fear of loss and lack. Substance is Life, by which man lives In full, unmeasured length of days.

Beguiling are the knobs, push buttons, switches, Encircling you; no other century Has so electromagnetized its doings: Its comings, goings, its communications, By word, by flash, by wire, throughout earth's nations. Dear innocents, earth's little ones, inheritors Of the great multiplicity of man's device; (Yet first, beyond all else, inheritors Of every good and perfect gift of God), Be not bemused by symbols that would claim A power apart from thought that spells His name! Even a little prayer is not amiss When finger on button rests, on switch, on gauge, When hand lifts up receiver from the hook— A silent, "We thank You, God!" that this we know: Power is not in nor issues from dynamo, From friction, pressure, plunge, velocity, Gigantic wheel, material mass and stress, Nor conjured by any force for fallible gain That breeds no more of pleasure than of pain; But issues only as intelligence, Impelled, directed by Almighty Love, Invisible, yet permeant as air, Controlled, yet free, as is an eagle's flight, And kind, as a mother speaking in the night.

Across the cloud-white fields of earth The vintage bells of Science, ring; The golden hour of Truth is here, And hope is ripe for harvesting. With joy we bear the sheaves of Mind, Our thoughts fixed constant to Life's goal; The laborers will soon be more— To garner in the wealth of Soul.

We are the rich now. We are the ones Who inherited "all things," the cherished sons Charged to repudiate the "fables And endless genealogies.

From dawn till night throughout the summer day His song, a harbinger of heaven's harmony, Floats far and wide from off the meadow grass, Or orchard branch, a cheerful roundelay. Thus as I journey through earth's troubled sea And meet with many a weary, burdened one, May I give cheer and love—God's gifts to all.

Let us rejoice in the sinless purity of man, Walking serenely in the love of God. How noble is his aspect, meek his mien, How fearlessly he moves within the light, Knowing his stature as a prince of Truth, Reflection from the radiance of Mind, Secure within the sinlessness of Soul.

O Truth revealed! We praise Thee for the light Of Science, Soul-clear day of purity That penetrates the undiscerning night Of sin with Spirit's chaste resplendency. We know that the repentant mind must leave Behind its darkling dreams, must open wide Its tower windows to the sun and cleave To Life forevermore.

Buy them no jewels for a crown, Plait them no flowers for a wreath; They wear a happier renown Than any mortals can bequeath. The halo of the sun is dim Beside the brightness which they shed— The everlasting joy of Him Who placed it on each lifted head.

God's messenger—our Leader stands today, Ordained of God to answer Truth's clear call, To show again the Master's healing works And bring the promised Comforter to all. Thus God-endowed, she faced a doubting world, And knew opposing creeds and fears must fall.

The way is plain to see, This I must do: In patient trusting and with humble tears Yield up the ego of the self-taught years; Listen, and learn Love's purpose to fulfill, Serving with joy, find joy is with me still.