Questions & Answers
It often has with truth been said Life's as we make it; I only know that life to me, Was like a dark, inclement sea; Without a ray of hope in sight Till Science came, and gave me light. Since then how changed is life to me, For light has come and I am free; There is no Law but Truth and Love, For God is Truth and God is Love.
Come hither, weary one, and rest,— Here, where all is peace,— Rest in the consciousness of Truth, In which all joys increase. Stay, wand'rer, and be ever blest; Thy Shield and Buckler Truth will be In all thy future years, And nought but good thine eyes shall see,— Nor gaze through blinding tears.
If thou in Truth abide thou art secure; His Love thy footsteps guide, making them sure. Love is thy fortress strong, Thy refuge from all harm; Thy God with outstretched arm, waiting to save.
Love, seeking beauty, finds in every place A grace, unseen by sordid eyes, appear; Beholds the pageant of the passing year, Each marching day with glorious morning face And evening smile, when golden clouds enlace The peaceful West—whose colors are brought near To lowly earth by flowers, in whose dear Heart-blessing faces present love we trace. In time of storm, love knows the storm will pass, Her heart at peace finds no storm enter in; She hath no fear to cloud the present sight Of beauty ever—beauty of the grass Refreshed by rain: of humble ones from sin New-cleansed, reflecting Heaven's gracious light.
In Nepthalim of Galilee, beyond Swift flowing Jordan and Zabulon's hill, To those who sat in darkness and the shade Of death a glorious light hath been revealed By that dear Lord who preached those warning words "Repent! for now God's kingdom is at hand. " And to those simple fisher-folk who toiled Both late and early with their busy nets In the deep waters of Gennesareth Their daily bread to win, he spake and said, "Come ye; leave boats and nets and follow me, And I will make you fishers e'en of men.
To rest in God—to feel that all the life We have is given of Him; to open our souls To all the sunlight of His truth; To grow in shine or shade, in storm or calm, Knowing that underneath each changing scene Is the All-Father's everlasting arm. Not to strive and struggle, as though to grow Meant agony and grief, but just to watch The lilies, learn of them, and harmonize With Nature's God who would our souls should grow In gracious sweetness, loveliness, and calm, Knowing that underneath each changing scene Is the All-Father's everlasting arm.
Give to the winds thy fears, Rise in thy conscious strength, The mountain heights of Love are thine, There thou can'st hear the Song divine, The Song that to thy heart brings peace, And from all fear, the mind's release. The Courage Song whose measures bind The ills we fear, which never come, And leads us to the portal bright Where safe within the Eternal light We dwell in sweet repose.
Gently thou beckonest from the giant hills, And new-born beauty in the emerald sky, And wakening murmurs from the drowsy rills, O gladsome dayspring! reft of mortal sigh— To glorify all time—eternity— With thy still fathomless Christ-majesty. Brightly thou gildest gladdened joy, dear God! Give risen power to prayer; fan Thou the flame Of right with might; and, midst the rod, And stern, dark shadows cast on Thy blest name, Lift Thou a patient love above earth's ire, Piercing the clouds with its triumphal spire.
At early dawn, when the first golden rays Of the approaching monarch of the day Shot 'cross the sky, like blazoned heraldry, And bathed in mellow hue the peaceful earth, Scarce yet awake from a calm night or rest,— The sentinel paced his march with measured tread; The birds began to sing their matin lays,— The flowers with opening petals perfume breathed And smiled in joyous hope through tears of dew,— The trees, with arms outstretched, fain would embrace More of the glowing splendor. Then, suddenly upon the ear Of unexpectant watchers broke A roll like thunder, That seemed from its foundations strong To tear the very earth—and caused The watch, in terror-stricken haste, To flee their posts of vigilance.
When self shall die, The myriad forms of sin shall scattered fly; Guideless and powerless, each shall hide its head, When self is dead! When self is dead, Hate too shall perish, Love shall reign instead; Peace shall abide with men and Heav'n draw nigh, When self shall die!