Questions & Answers
Upon the wind of heaven the tones he heard That Adam heard in Eden, and the word Was wonderful, and in his heart it stirred A longing to uprise from faith to sight. Soft on the silver night the numbers fall, "Give me thine heart, my son: give me thine all: If thou wilt gain thy guerdon, heed the call.
Inasmuch as thou hast ventured in the turmoil and the doubt, And with clearer thought of Truth hast turned the hosts of terror out; Though gratitude or guerdon rare were never offered thee, Thou hast done it unto me, beloved, hast done it unto me. Inasmuch as thou hast labored oft, aye! seemingly in vain, To lift away the burden from a brother bent in pain; Though blessing were not whispered, nor a smile rewarded thee, Thou hast done it unto me, brave heart, hast done it unto me.
' Tis a lonely way, said a pilgrim, As he gazed at the path ahead; There is no one to travel beside me And my heart is filled with dread, Because, should I faint or falter Ere I win to the other side, There is none to care in the desert Or to know that I ever tried. The pilgrim went his way With girded loins and sandaled feet, And lo, at close of day His voice arose in accents sweet: He whom my steps fared forth to meet Hath been my guide and stay; 'Twas not a lonely way! 'Tis a rugged way, said a pilgrim, As he noted the dizzy trail; 'Tis a weary climb to the summit, And what if my strength should fail? For the path is so rude and winding And the cliffs are so very high! If I chance to lose my footing There's none who would hear my cry.
That is no true alms which the hand can hold; He gives nothing but worthless gold Who gives from a sense of duty; But he who gives a slender mite, And gives to that which is out of sight, That thread of the all-sustaining beauty Which runs thro' all and doth all unite,— The hand cannot clasp the whole of his alms, The heart outstretches its eager palms, For a god goes with it and makes it store To the soul that was starving in darkness before. Lowell.
I like the man who faces what he must, With a step triumphant, and a heart of cheer, Who fights the daily battle without fear, Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps the unfaltering trust— That God is God; that somehow true, and just, His plans work out for mortals; not a tear Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear, Falls from his grasp; better, with love, a crust Than living in dishonor; envies not Nor loses faith in man; but does his best, Nor ever murmurs at his humble lot, But with a smile and words of hope, gives zest To every toiler: he alone is great Who by a life heroic conquers fate. Selected.
The wild birds watch for brighter days Ere they begin their hymns of praise, They wait a flower-decked world of light To take the place of winter's night. Not so our hearts! whose gratitude Depends not on the season's mood: The ceaseless blessings of new birth Bring glimpses of new heaven and earth.
" I shall be satisfied," the promise reads,— Appeased shall be all longings of desire, Filled to the brim the measure of my needs, Supplied in full all good that I require. I shall be satisfied,—be freed from doubt; Suspense, uncertainty, their flight shall take; Complete assurance shall be brought about,— I shall be satisfied, when I awake.
Long, long ago, among Judea's hills, A shepherd-minstrel strolled on worship bent. He loved the mossy glebe and gurgling rills; Of these he sang with reverence as he went.
Shepherds still watch through the night their sheep, Hopes of heaven the flocks they keep. Angels still sing, as they sang of old,— Though faith be faint, and the night be cold,— And the same sweet message still they bring, "Come, see in a manger the new-born king.
When Christ appears within the hearts of men, The bells of love shall ring from sea to sea, Across the land from mountain peak to peak, To cheer the thought of all humanity. When Christ appears the gray earth shall be new, The flowers of day be fairer than of old.