Questions & Answers
Though wandering in a maze of fear Or treading in a marsh of doubt,— As one still must who lingers here While seeking still the pathway out,— This joyous thought the bosom fills: Thank God, I still can see the hills! Or as a dweller in a street Where towering structures hide the view, And stretch their tops the sky to meet Like ancient Babel's tower anew; What though their bulk the prospect mars; Thank God, we yet may see the stars! And so, through creeds or dogma's weft, Or man-made superstition grim, We turn nor to the right nor left, But keep our hearts still fixed on Him. No matter what the lie may mean, Thank God that Truth may still be seen!
Behold the star of Bethlehem! Arise and follow on; Its seven-hued light is leading From darkness into dawn. Behold the star of Boston, That selfsame star of yore.
Safe in the arms of knowledge, safe in the ark of God, Sheltered in Truth's own keeping from evil's awful flood,— Behind us the law and the prophets, before us the heaven to be, Forward! Christian and Scientist, over the last Red Sea! Mind is the force we tread on. Spirit the sword we wield, The Bible Word our cannon on earth's grim battle field; Wisdom and understanding our sentries by day and by night,— Onward! Christian and Scientist, for victory is with the right! We are nearing the doom of matter, we have passed to the latter years, We have seen the earthquake and famine; let us see where the Christ appears; He is healing the sick in the trenches, He is guiding the navies at sea, Principle and not person! Lo, the dead are risen in Thee! Thoughts of the Most High are gathering, the skies are filled with their host, Michael is leading his legions armed with the Holy Ghost; Oppression and violence shall vanish; by seven ways shall they flee! Answer, O man, to thy Maker! Stand forth—pure, upright, and free! Safe in the kingdom of heaven, safe in the city of Love, Father-Mother Almighty, beneath us, around us, above; Sin conquered for ever and ever, salvation forever outpoured,— Upward! Christian and Scientist, enter the joy of the Lord!
Blind led the blind, we slumbered unawares, And while men slept the enemy sowed tares. The old familiar guides we knew are gone, And broken are the reeds we leaned upon.
O Heavenly Father , let me know Myself, and see The faults and sins that separate My heart from Thee; And let me see above, beyond The mists so dense, My own real self, the blessed child Of Soul, not sense. And as this vision, calm and clear, Dawns on my sight.
Once more,—a victory for thee, Thou sweet constraining rod! I bow the head, and bend the knee, And yield me to the love of God. When Love hath conquered me, I lose, Yet am a victor too; I win what I myself would choose At first, had I the wit to do.
Beside the portal of the shadowy door She paused irresolute; she did not really know What lay beyond; but quiet seemed it there And warm, and promise of a shelter gave From bitter cold of winter's war-swept world, And surcease seemed to hold From strain of ceaseless struggle With false sense and sin. Then while she paused irresolute— For none need cross the threshold of the door Until they give their own consent— She felt a loving Presence drawing near, A tender healing touch upon her heart, And heard a gentle voice which said: "Stay, for the King hath need of thee," And knew she could not enter that dim door.
Within thy gates I daily walk, And up to heaven's blue I lift my gaze, while angels talk Of all that's pure and true. Of thy pure fount of flowing love I drink the healing streams, And find a peace far, far above The fondest earthly dreams.
I Do not ask to know Thy will. I know.
Into the garden's sun and scent I steal from a darkened room; I see a butterfly alight and sip From the cup of a rosy bloom. The beauty of its wings of white And markings of faintest gray, Brings to my burdened heart a sense Of beauty and harmony.