Questions & Answers
To till the ground— To know that 'neath the soil There lies the recompense for all thy toil; That through the clinging, heavy earth shall spring The fruitage of thy careful nourishing. To till the ground— To know there is no clay, But only Life that knoweth no decay; The bud and blossom of eternal thought Are sure reward for all that thou hast wrought.
The roses bloom for me more beautifully Year by year; More fragrantly the lilies of the valley Breathe their balm; Bird song is dearer every spring's arriving. Can't you hear The warbler's ecstasy anew proclaiming, "Spring—it is here!" Why should your heart, remembering ancient sorrows, Itself bemoan? From out the winter-chastened earth are springing Violets; All things are new—a new heart may be chosen For heart of stone, And softly, freshly, out of it be growing Joy—your own! The budding vines are tender, lucent, giving A goodly smell; "Better than wine" the scent of briar roses, And mignonette, And linden bloom.
Your life is "hid with Christ in God," So Paul, the dauntless, sang; Nor sword nor persecution feared, Nor viper's poisonous fang. He knew that God alone is Life, Whence all true being sprang.
O plodder! Lift thy gaze above the clod, And watch the lark that swings Against the dome of blue, And sings, and sings. O plodder! Lift thy thought above the earth, Above the hurt and sting, To see and know thy God,— And sing, and sing.
Praise be to God, and blessed be this day When men, released from the despotic sway Of mortal mind and error's thrall, may rise And climb the mount to Truth's own paradise. At last with laurel him alone we crown Who by true work shall merit fair renown, And know the freedom which the Father gave.
This is the day that God hath made. Eternal peace each hour entwines; No erring sense may dare invade, Nor measure aught that He defines.
God doth in holy action rest; See Science and Health, p. 519.
Through the clouds the light is breaking; Joy to see the world awaking From the dark dreams of the night, Turn at last to God for light, Turn at last to God for love, Seeking healing from above. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Workers, lo, the time is coming.
The evening sun is setting fast, The twilight glow will soon be past, And weary ones will find at last The peace of God, divine. No earthly hues to mortals show The joy and gladness they may know, Whene'er they gain the Spirit's glow, The peace of God, divine.
O fearful one, why dost thou fear? Is ill From Him who giveth good—the Father's will? Or hast thou other gods that evil bring? Know God aright; then lift thy voice and sing! For God is Love, and can but good bestow; Thou, too, His gift of joy and peace shall know. The ills of mortal sense Love never knew; And evil, then, is but a dream—untrue.