Stone upon stone they built, so to erect
A temple to the mighty God most high,
Wherein to worship at the sacred shrine
Of Love, in holiness and purity—
In peace and quietness the work went on,
Nor scorn nor ridicule could stay the skill
Of willing hands from dawn till quiet eve.
No lurking spy could make the smallest breach
In all the walls, nor stem the steady tide
Of loving thoughts which flowed from out the hearts
Of all the builders, one harmonious band,
Until at length the temple stood complete
In all its finished glory, and athwart
Its glowing portal, glinting in the sun,
The message to mankind that God is Love.
The secret of their wondrous work is clear—
In meekness and in deep humility
Each builder did within himself erect
The structure of eternal Truth and Love,
A consciousness of God so pure and free
From taint of any earthly place or power
That lo! the temple of their God appeared,
A holy witness to His mighty will,
Built of pure thoughts, its stones all hewn from out
The rock of understanding, knit in one.
So may each one of us, a builder too,
Erect within his secret heart of hearts
This shrine of love for God and all mankind,
That every work which He would have us do
May start and stand in perfect harmony.
