Questions & Answers
She cast in all she had, the Master said. The thronging crowds made way; then smiled in scorn.
It is to Thee the song birds trill In liquid notes so full and clear, A warbling melody that floats In joyous rapture through the air. But mine, dear God, the listening ear, That hears Thy voice speak from above, And opens wide awakened thought, To look "through Nature" up to Love.
Child of God, how fair thy heritage! E'en all that's pure and beautiful and good, And only good! Child of God, how bright thy promise is; For all of love is thine to live, And bless withal! Child of God, arise and claim thine own! Fulfillment of the promise is at hand; Look round about,—the fields are whitening. Go, use thy gift! Child of God, now thy dominion take, That all unlike thy Father be no more; Then shall the earth yield good, And good alone! Ah, child of God, how fair thy heritage!
As Enoch heard God's voice, and talked with Him, Companioning with Mind as with a dear, Familiar friend, in sacred high content Discoursing on realities,—for Mind Communes with holy thought, dissolving all The fragile dreams of earth's entanglements,— So, seeking Love, men once again shall hear God's voice; and hearing, gladly shall they speak With Him, asking how they, as Enoch did, May traverse Love's domain. Then shall the hates Of earth disperse; the din of strife shall cease; And men, as brothers walking, shall converse On Love's design, each seeking how he may Excel in love; promoting thus his own In others' good.
Not on our efforts does the truth depend. When we think truly, we ourselves defend From error's darkness.
Thus Moses in the law,—but what say'st thou? Derisively they asked who stood around; But Jesus answered nothing,—only stooped, And wrote upon the ground. He that is free from sin first cast the stone, The Master then replied; but none was found To stand such test,—the accusers fled: again, He wrote upon the ground, Wrote in the dust the tale of mortal sin, For sin is of the flesh, and flesh but dust, Hence doomed to perish; thus by symbol taught The holy and the just.
Out of the land of Moab Ruth came forth; Turned from each thought that urged her tarry still Among strange gods and clinging human ties. She chose the God of Israel for her own; Nor cast a saddened, lingering look behind, But ever journeyed on the road that seemed To lead her to a clearer sense of good.
A tired one stands alone upon life's shore, As having reached a weary journey's end. Behind, beside him, even as before, The seeming powers of evil still contend; But as he turns his face unto the light And with its perfect radiance is crowned, He knows himself full-armored for the fight, And well prepared all error to confound.
Did they come to thee, Lord Jesus, 'Mid the noises of the plane? When the saw creaked shrilly, shrilly, Shrieked and passed, .
What is Thy will for me, Father, to-day? What shall I do for Thee? What think? What say? Thine is my life, my wish, my will; Use me to-day, and Thy purpose fulfill. Guiding the stars through the heavens' great span, Guide Thou my life through Thy infinite plan.