Questions & Answers
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.
O thou that hearest prayer! Make haste the day when sin shall cease, And sorrows chide no more: When understanding of Thy Word, Our fading joys restore. Make haste the day when falsehood, fear, The strife of tongues shall still; When hearts athirst for righteousness, Shall list the heavenly will.
How wilt thou tell it? How appeal To him who secret sins? Wilt make him one whom men deride, Rack him with agony of pride? Nay, he will grind thee 'neath his heel, The man who secret sins. It shall be as a story told, The sharp rebuke of love, The prophet pictured to the throng Disclosure of imagined wrong— Made throned David's self unfold The sharp rebuke of love.