Questions & Answers
Like bird on radiant wing in skyward flight, high soaring, My thought goes forth, unfettered, joyous, free; Higher and higher it reaches up, outpouring, In gift of gratitude, in wondrous melody. To Thee, dear Giver of all gifts, the perfect and the true, Father of lights, serene, unchanging, sure, I rise on wings of faith; with gratitude I view The heaven of Thy joy, where every thought is pure.
I took God's blessing with me to their home So new, so fresh, appointed with such care; And contemplating happiness to come I sensed its quick fulfillment everywhere. No casement barred the light from entering; No latch but yielded quickly to the touch; Harmony there, in every simple thing A beauty unadorned, adorning much.
He faced the light, and as he pressed ahead Saw only light upon his onward way; No wandering glance e'er filled his heart with dread, Since all about him shone the cheering day; No faltering he knew, nor threatening night, As with uplifted gaze he faced the light. Toward that same light I turned, and saw him pass, Unnoting me who trod the selfsame way; I marked the shadows darkling on the grass— Closely entwined about his feet they lay, And deepened as he went; but as he gained In nearness to the light, the shadows waned.
If Daniel had once faltered on that night When he kept faith's long watch within a den,— The crowning faith of lesser faiths,—what then? If he had lost his hold upon the light That girded him, that clothed him with its might,— A gentle mantle, yet a flaming sword To close the gates of death with potent word, Impenetrable armor of the right,— Then I would poorer be by one high deed. If his calm heart had not held true and fine, Knowing our God—both his and mine—in need To be omnipotent, his loss were mine.
It lies before him—valley of decision— Fateful between his wandering feet and home; He must go down, past lauding, through derision, Nor can he tarry when his hour is come. Strait is the gate, narrow the way assigned him, No room upon its path for more than one; So he who goes leaves kin and friend behind him, He cannot walk there till he walks alone.
And the silver-tongued impulse of charity, Shall presently waken earth's dreamers; And strengthened and heartened by Mind, They shall go forth contentedly, To walk in Truth through reflection; Thus can they lift and enlighten The earth-bound thought of humanity. Then shall they come in the evening, Bearing their sheaves on their shoulders; And in the enfoldment of Love They shall rest from their labors.
I saw a great white throne and One thereon Before whose face all earth-things fled away! Thrice blessed seer, to lift our gaze upon Reality and the immortal day When earth, the so-called heaven, and all their host Pass—as a ghostly shade—before the light; And their presumptuous power and idle boast, Disproved, vanish before the awakened sight. Nor had thy consciousness one place where aught Unlike its perfect Maker might appear.
In the garden, O my Saviour, Did you walk alone that night, While the sweat and tears of anguish Tried to tell you sin was might, While near by your loved disciples Slept because they could not know Of the travail you must suffer That you might the nations show How to travel ever upward, How to the true stature grow? No, you knew that God, the Father, Was upholding with His love, That He never could forsake you— You this to the world must prove. You must teach the world this lesson, That the senses always lie.
Dear fearful heart, thou canst not fall, Though rugged seems the road before thee; He marks the way for thee and all; Press on! His watchful eye is o'er thee— Thou canst not fall. Thy faltering feet may stumble, still Thou canst not fall, Love's arms enfold thee; Obedient to the Father's will, His angel-messengers uphold thee— Thou canst not fall.
' T is blindness to regard earth's want and woe As part or purpose of the eternal plan; All substance—Life and Truth and Love and good— Sustains God's man. 'T is blasphemy to say God sends the storm That rends and tears and kills and causes pain; Only the gentle healing touch of Love Comes with God's rain.