Long, long, men stumbled in sad, dreary ways,
Pining for portents of a dawning spring.
"God gave us life," they said, "but all our days
Hold haunting terrors of some evil thing."
Upon the winter of their discontent,
Ages ago, there came the call,—
"Believe no ill! God is man's life,
And He is Love, and He is All."
And some there were who woke to hear
Truth's message, and to spread its cheer;
But blind belief bound most in chains of fear.
"'Tis dark," they said. "Evil is ever near."
Then, fifty years ago, to one who watched
Upon the tower of faith, scanning the night
With heart so pure that she could see her God,
There came once more clear vision and clear light.
"God is our life, and God is All," she said.
"Of all that lives and moves He is the cause.
Where then is evil's place? Look up! E'en now
Your wilderness has blossomed as the rose!"
