Poems

Though I may speak with moving words, Which can inspire the heart of man, But have no love to seal their worth, They are but emptiness and sham. Though I may give my worldly goods Without a thought of self or gain, Unless they bear the fruits of love They are as clouds without their rain.

It was a cheerless script, that mortal tale— claiming to be my past, my story. A litany of missed chances, condemnation, and regret.

Door of stone, walls of rock, windowless tomb— Son of God crucified, shrouded, left to lie in silent endless night .

Shepherd , show me how to go      O'er the hillside steep, How to gather, how to sow,—      How to feed Thy sheep; I will listen for Thy voice,      Lest my footsteps stray; I will follow and rejoice      All the rugged way. Thou wilt bind the stubborn will,      Wound the callous breast, Make self-righteousness be still,      Break earth's stupid rest.

Eternal Mind the Potter is, And thought th' eternal clay: The hand that fashions is divine, His works pass not away. Man is the noblest work of God, His beauty, power and grace, Immortal; perfect as his Mind Reflected face to face.

One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,—whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed. — MARY BAKER EDDY.

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me: I myself would gracious be, And with words that help and heal Would Thy life in mine reveal; And with actions bold and meek Christ's own gracious spirit speak. Truthful Spirit, dwell with me: I myself would truthful be, And with wisdom kind and clear Let Thy life in mine appear; And with actions brotherly Follow Christ's sincerity.

All glory be to God most high, And on the earth be peace, The angels sang, in days of yore, The song that ne'er shall cease, Till all the world knows peace. God's angels ever come and go, All winged with light and love; They bring us blessings from on high, They lift our thoughts above, They whisper God is Love.

In Thee, O Spirit true and tender, I find my life as God's own child; Within Thy light of glorious splendor I lose the earth-clouds drear and wild. Within Thy love is safe abiding From every thought that giveth fear; Within Thy truth a perfect chiding, Should I forget that Thou art near.

O tender, loving Shepherd, We long to follow thee, To follow where thou leadest, Though rough the path may be; Though dark and heavy shadows Enshroud the way with gloom, We know that Love will guide us, And safely lead us home. We know, beloved Shepherd, The path that thou has trod Leads ever out of darkness, And on and up to God.