Questions & Answers
Like shepherds of that far-off Christmastide, May I, too, faithful unto duty be; Content with patient meekness to abide, Content with things that do belong to me, But never sleeping! Vigilant, awake, I boldly challenge with my shepherd's horn When danger lurks, whate'er the form it take; And so, serene and calm, I wait the morn. Thus let me watching be, when in the sky Comes glory that my humble sense transcends; Glory ineffable in heaven high, Glory which harmony and beauty blends, Glory which sheds upon my daily cares, As on the sheep of old, a radiant gleam; That beam of light each smallest duty shares, And fellow herdsmen like the angels seem.
O little self, that suffers and enjoys Within so small a compass, loose your bonds; Break through the walls of selfish interests, cares That keep life chafing like a fretful stream Thrown ever backward on itself; be free! Each outward-going thought on service bent Bears you still farther on the great expanse Of brotherhood and universal love. The dim horizon of the fair ideal Forever widens as you onward go— Self quite forgot—until at last it melts Into that boundless space where thought meets God.
Thou shalt make holy garments for thy brother, They shall be made for glory and for beauty, Of spiritual substance shalt thou weave them, Of righteousness and meekness and salvation, Of joy and peace, of purity and plenty, Of health and sinlessness and life immortal. Thou shalt wash clean thy thought from seeming evil, And, in the light of love and understanding, Thou shalt make gleaming garments for thy brother.
I walk the narrow way with joyous step— I know my Saviour's foot has pressed its sod— And up the winding path I find my way Is bright with blossoms from the fields of God. The strait gate opens to me as I go; Within its portals lies a golden light That clears sense-shadows from before my eyes, And opens distant vistas to my sight.
As evening stillness by a summer sea, As sunrise glow when dawns the light of day, As flowing brooks and waving fields of grass, So is the peace that holds me safe to-day. Peace, which the world can never take away, Which comes to those who live alone for Thee: In that calm haven of sweet peace I rest And learn of Life and Love and liberty.
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. " Let me till my vineyard deep And warm its roots with love, Whose gentle rays shall far outshine The sunlight from above.
As flowers that lift their faces to the sun, So do Thy children turn toward the Light, Seeking the Life which they have just begun, Through truth applied, to understand aright. As Israel's singer lifted up his eyes And looked toward the everlasting hills, So in our hearts shall confidence arise In that which standeth steadfast through the years— The Word of God, the living Truth that heals, And all the wonder of His love reveals.
Our God exists, in spite of all the seeming; In spite of all the sorrow and the pain; In spite of all the dust and all the dreaming, Our Father hears us—we call not in vain! He hears us, and His answer comes in patience; His answer comes in silencing self-will; His answer comes in peace and calm assurance That He knows all, and all our needs will fill.
O Love, the votive candle of my heart I light for Thee alone, And though, sometimes, its eager flame be blown By error's gusts, I know Thy shining peace Will kindle it, and winds and darkness cease. O Life, the ripest offerings of my days I bring to Thee alone, And though, sometimes, these glowing gifts be sown With cold time's mortal dust, I do not fear, Knowing the breath of Being fans them clear.
There is a little flower that grows With tender golden heart, Despite the snows. There is a little lamp whose light Friendly and sacred burns Throughout the night.