Questions & Answers
My Father, I would spend this day In quietude with Thee; Despite the thoughts of doubt and fear That in my heart seem to inhere, Thy voice alone shall win mine ear, Each prayerful hour today. And when the day is done, dear Lord, I shall be comforted; The priceless blessings of Thy Word Shall in my inmost heart be stored, The bounty I have gained, Lord, Of life-sustaining bread.
At even, when the sun did set— Let thought roll back the centuries, And lo, before a humble house A city gathers! Jesus sees No sin or pain, No suffering. Through Love he heals them, blind and sad, The crippled man, the ailing lad, Their faith their only offering.
As birds that breast the mist and rain And sing within the wood, So through each darkling cloud of ill I see eternal good. As carefree bird notes rise and call Once more their glad refrain, God's blessings circling all my steps Restore my soul again.
Still beautiful upon the height And peaceful on the crowded street Appears to the illumined sight The imprint of the Master's feet. The narrow way still parallels Our thoroughfare and country lane; Unseen, angelic sentinels Conduct the pilgrim home again.
As far as east is from the west! Oh, Father, can it be These words of David long ago Are meant for one like me? As far as east is from the west! The promise is to all Who, contrite, seek the Father's face, Upon His mercy call. As far as east is from the west, So far is sin removed From him who knows God's image, pure, By Love divine approved.
Yesterday in the meadow A lark did sweetly sing. Today, though veiled in shadow, My heart does freely bring To Love's o'erflowing storehouse Its tithes of joy and peace, For in the Father's dwelling There's naught but sure release.
Because innocency was found in him, We read, no shadowy vision dim Was Daniel's, but perception clear, That pierced the hatred and the fear That would have stilled the holy power, Reflected by him every hour. And as he faced the angry throng Of mortal thoughts, of cruel wrong, He felt within his heart the peace Of God, and knew that his release Was near.
When man shall understand, and own as mortal, The illusive shadows of this changing dream, There shall be opening of the heavenly portal And lifting of the loads that weighty seem. There shall be lifting up of hearts in praises, And eyes alight with joy to Life and Love; And making straight the crooked paths and mazes, And steadfast forward steps to Truth above.
O lift your thought above the seeming shadows, God knoweth not of doubt or fear or pain; He sees His own creation, whole and perfect, And you the image of His love remain At one with Him. It matters not what error In any subtle way may seem to say; You do not have to look into the future, The past forget—lift up your thought today!
A Beggar blind, he sat by the gate, The gate of Jericho, Asking an alms from each passer-by, Submissive, yet questioning why He was blind. Patient he sat, and quietly, By the gate of Jericho, And, listening, heard in a wondering way Of one who could bring the light of day To the blind.