Questions & Answers
If all material things are mortal thought Made manifest, unholy misconception, And human ills a falsity distraught, A dark, untimely phantom of deception, Then let us undeceive our quickening minds, And to the morn's true radiance raise the blinds. If mortal man be but a false impression, E'en at his best, of God's true counterpart, And thou uplift thy voice in full confession That thou art ignorant of what thou art, Then, in the name of wisdom manifest, Plead we to set thy wandering doubts at rest And all who learn the torture and distress Of pain and tears, the ferment and the fret Of foul disease, or sin's deep bitterness, Would ye unlearn them? Long ye to forget? Then take to heart the lesson of the years, Truth is revealed, and man's true Life appears.
Like one who wanders in fell darkness vast. I trod the paths of pain and all unrest For weary, weary years, and came at last To dream that death of all things was the best.
He is our Father! Yet how oft We close our eyes in fear, Forgetful that by day and night, His guardian care is near. He is our Father; Then indeed His love must answer every need! And if perchance my straying feet Should tread the shadowy vale, My heart shall still be unafraid, My courage shall not fail.
What is the fruitage of that high estate, To be of those the greatest of the great? Surely, not wealth nor its ephemeral shows, Nor spoils of war, nor all the pomp of state! For great indeed are geniuses whose thought Arts and inventions to mankind has taught, And civilization hitherto unknown,— For they to earth immortal gifts have brought. And great indeed are artists who inspire Our thoughts with high incentive and desire, Through music, painting, poem, and high theme, To help and cheer our race to heights still higher.
"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way" ( Science and Health, p. 454 ).
I dreamed I saw the world a misty void, And darkness lay upon the watery deep. 'Twas vague and meaningless, no purpose lent it motion; I looked more closely, and the darkness deepened, Yet seemed it that I saw with more distinctness; Could this be Mind, expressed thus in confusion? Or this be Life, hedged in by finiteness, And stayed by this strange thing called time With nameless terror spreading apathy? Held by some spell, in fear and doubt I watched The fruitless birth-throes of its centuries; The cruel wars for wealth, for pride, for power, That knew no mercy for the vanquished foe; Vain wars where blinding superstition strove To force with carnage unity of thought; Then wars for freedom, that each might pursue In his own way his own concept of good; Then kindlier feelings, sacrificing self For others' welfare.
O father , hold me close! the little child Cries out, as breaks and beats the tempest wild. He rests secure within his father's arms, Yet murmurs, startled at the wind's alarms, O father, hold me close! O Father, hold me close! I too would cry.
' Twas only an earthen pitcher She brought, with a cooling draft; 'Twas cracked in a dozen places, And many who saw it laughed. The little one's sweet lips quivered, And her smiling eyes grew sad: "You wanted a drink of water, And this pitcher is all I had.
Blest star of Truth, thy soft and radiant light Foretells the perfect day, a God-crowned morn! Unto us each the Christ-idea is born; Now faded is the dark tempestuous night. Blest star of Love, a watchman that doth guide Far from the seeming mists of grim despair Into the realm of pure, celestial air, Where naught but Life and harmony abide.
Hark , the lilt of a robin's song! What cares he for raindrops falling? Piercing the clouds, the sunbeams dance, To him, their comrade, calling. Fresh, shy, and sweet the primrose grows, Pure, though the earth be mud-defiled; Rich in beauty, fair in promise, Smiling like a little child.