Questions & Answers
" And when he came to himself"—we read these words In that rich story which the Master told And left for us who come to ponder on, That story of the wayward prodigal. (It was a day when sinners had drawn near, And roused the scorn of scribe and Pharisee.
Dost thou hear a call arise, Out of dark and troubled skies, Out of error's awful night? Look not on the lightning flash, Wait not for the thunder crash, Only know where power lies. Doth not God untroubled stand, Sovereign of the sea and land, Master of the billow's fate? Ask of Him, for He hath given Victory in earth and heaven; Truth is certain, therefore wait.
When time seemed long and days were heavy-laden, Weighed down with fear and doubt and fleshly ill, I struggled on, nor sensed God's loving presence, Nor heard the sweet voice saying, "Peace, be still. " I had not learned that Love is all-sufficient To answer every need, though great or small; I did not know our Father comprehendeth And taketh note of e'en the sparrow's fall.
O weary one, long searching for the day, Faint not, nor fear, though rough the unused way, Since Love is near; and Love's refining fires Will separate the gold and leave the clay, For Love inspires. And though the sense-clouds lower and swift tears start, 'Tis but illusion.
Father , the hour is come When, like the prodigal, I see I must arise and wend my way to Thee, Secure in knowing that Thy tender love Is ever waiting to forgive my sin, And prove Thy pardon by destruction Of its seeming power and victory. The husks of old beliefs and outworn creeds Have failed to satisfy.
A heart once sighed in sad dismay. So real seemed sorrow, sin, and fear, That God was thought aye far away; 'Twas not discerned that Love was near.
This is the day the Lord hath made! To-day I will rejoice; in it I will be glad. No yesterday with thorns upon the way Can pierce its hours or make one moment sad.
In the land where Jesus wandered Stand the same strong hills he knew, And above the sunlit landscape Stretches the same vault of blue. Still the dawn comes stealing softly O'er the lake on which he trod, Touching with a rose-lit radiance Mountains where he talked with God.
God's angels,—pure, exalted, holy thoughts Of Truth and Love,—I feel thy presence here, And shades of ignorance and darkness flee; For in Love's radiance there can be no fear. When human sense would doubt the strength and power Of Truth's great might to heal, and ask to see The proof of victory won, dear gratitude, Thou angel-guest, with joy I cling to thee, And thank my Father for the truth unseen, That man, forever perfect, whole and free, Is now at-one with God—hath ever been Love's pure reflection, yea, shall ever be! Then white-winged thoughts of faith and trust bring peace, With beauteous beams of light to guide and cheer; While patience waits her perfect work to prove The fact that God is Life, and Life is here; And man, at-one with God, the perfect Mind, Reflects that Life, sustained by Truth and Love.
When waiting Magi saw the star That shone above our Lord, And shepherds heard the angels sing In heavenly accord, How few there were who saw that light And followed where it led; Not many, with the hymn of praise And peace, were comforted! Oh, let us ever faithful be To watch and work and pray, That we may see the light of Truth, And follow in the way. Then shall we hear that same refrain, And echo it each day, Till all the world awakes to see That Christ is here alway.