Questions & Answers
Oh , troubled one, by sorrow torn, Look up and see the light! God's child can never be forlorn; Thy path with Love is bright. God guides, God guides— Oh, praise Him for His love! Oh, suffering one, though chained by pain, The great Physician 's near! His loving words to you are plain: Come unto me, nor fear.
Symbol of our great Leader's faithfulness, By grateful hearts presented to mankind, Each detail of thy structure clearly wrought, Obedient to the Father's guiding hand— The Mother Church! Our Leader's concept clear Of God's sure government in human ways! Conceived in truth, her "child on upward wing"* Arose, and gathered strength from Love's warm rays; Then tenderly reached out afar and near Into the waiting hearts of human kind, Allaying fear, destroying sin and death, Thus demonstrating present, perfect Mind. Oh, may thy walls be builded in our hearts By Principle, on Christ, foundation sure! So will thy purpose be fulfilled with men; Thy fruitage be eternal and secure.
Has error stripped you of your coat of many hues, And sold you to the passing Midianites? Then, comrade, keep your faith; you cannot lose Those visions dear of Truth, your guardian lights. Mayhap you'll live to feed a multitude; Forgive, and turn your brethren from their wrong; To see the years of leanness turn to good, A father's mourning wail become a song.
Crushing a rock to fragments by hard toil, The patient workman follows blow with blow; Though an unyielding surface seems to foil His strength, his arm doth no cessation know, Till shattered bits his diligence proclaim. By which of sturdy strokes his purpose gained? The last? Nay, every one to final aim Made needful contribution; thus attained The wished result—by perseverance.
Let mortal sense be still; Heed thou the angel thoughts That wonder-winged forever fill The heart receptive to God's will; And know that now and here His perfect work is done; Man in the image of his God Knows naught but God, as Life and Love!
Shall I not take the hand of Him who knows Whither He goes, Tread the far silence of the desert drear, And trust His care Whose love through blackest night still leads me on, Nearer to dawn? Shall I not choose from all within my heart The better part, Knowing that only things that do not die Can satisfy? Shall I not lay my head upon His breast, And in that rest Taste the long promise of the tired years, And lose my tears?
In the dark shadow of the Adam-dream The world still slumbered, wrapped in deepest sleep; Into the darkness of the mortal thought Had penetrated scarce a ray of light. Egypt, enthroned in all her pride of power; In bondage Israel, with all her sons.
We know the wonder of divinest friendship, Although we clasp no loving human hand; We touch the edge of Truth's irradiant garment, When error seems like prison walls to stand. Because within our hearts God's love is gaining, Because in thought unfolds His gracious plan, We view beyond, and far above earth's feigning, The glories of God's earth and heaven and man.
It matters not the way that Thou dost choose to lead: Though rough or smooth the road, Thou art my guide in every need; Though mountain height or valley deep before me lie, No doubt my thought shall fill, nor fear alarm, for Thou art nigh. Though storms may seem to gather on a troubled sea, Thy peace is ever near at hand my frightened sense to free; Thy healing touch brings surcease of all pain, all ill; Thy light a wondrous radiance is, my present need to fill; Thy truth, an ever present shield from error's dart; Thy life, a promise sure of life, where death can have no part; Thy love, an all-encircling presence, here and now, And heaven, a universal harmony, which all may know.
How our thoughts go back in reverence To that holy Christmas day, When in Bethlehem's lowly manger, The sweet infant Jesus lay. Blessed child, so pure and tender, Messenger of Love divine, Come to lift earth's heavy burdens, And bestow Life's bread and wine; Come to show us Love's dear presence Ever shining soft and clear, And to turn our eyes from gazing Into shadows dark and drear; Come to tell us that the Christ, Truth, Dwells in every heart for aye, And that every morn we waken To a new, glad Christmas day!