Questions & Answers
In this sweet, sacred place there dwelleth peace, Quelling the tumult of the restless thought— A peace dynamic, active, God-assured, Breaking as light, resistless, yet unsought. Here will I rest awhile beside the way, And dwell upon the lovely things of Soul— All that is real and permanent and sure— And know myself and all in God's control.
Who would within the precincts walk Of Spirit's sheltered ground; Who would have share in heaven's peace And in its light abound, If he deny the false beliefs Of erring human sense, And know but good, and good alone, Will find a sure defense.
When the pearl and rose of dawnlight Softly steal across the sky, Ushering in the day's bright glory, Let us know that God is nigh. May we look to Him for wisdom All our happy way to guide, Keeping us through sunlit hours Ever closely by His side.
Come ye apart and rest awhile, Drink of wisdom's well. Your soul with righteousness inspire, And Christ with you will dwell.
Create in me a heart that's clean, Wind-swept and purified; Emptied of insincerity, Of hate, and foolish pride. Search me, O God, and know my thoughts; May they reflect Thy light, Soaring on wings of joyous song As birds in tireless flight.
Such time as we are envious of others, Marking their forward steps with loveless gaze; Such time as we regard our brothers' efforts With wishful dreaming or idolatrous praise, Were rightly spent in our own elevation; Each ill, each fault surmounted has begun To win for us that blessed commendation Our Master told us of—the sweet, "Well done. ".
Why gather much and fear tomorrow's losses? Each day the manna falls. There is no lack.
Did you feel, dear pilgrim, you'd struggled long 'Gainst some hidden error, some entrenched wrong, But to find at last, with the victory won, The good fight finished, the straight race run, That another received earth's fickle praise, But for you new problems and care-filled days? Yet regret not the better part you chose, For the Searcher of hearts, He knows, He knows. Into His storehouse bring your tithes Of purer desires, uplifted lives, Of truer friendships, of thoughts redeemed, Sheaves from His waiting harvest gleaned; Gather them, garner them, wait not to see If praise or misjudgment your portion be.
So gentle is the influence of Love, Yet so pervasive and its sway so strong, That sinners yielding to its touch are healed And wayfarers, though fools, are saved from wrong. Sweet ministry it brings to wounded sense; On troubled thought it settles like the dove; While through the raging of the storm its peace In safety bears the pilgrim home to Love.
He whose thought is lifted ever To the perfect realm of Mind, In that secret place abiding Shall a full protection find. Safe beneath the Almighty's shade He shall dwell—all unafraid.