Poems

Reluctant prophet! "Ah, Lord God, behold I cannot speak. " Shrinking from the call and the burden, Sensitive, hesitant; weak? Ah, no! How many before the vision have questioned, Why me? And thought to fly to the wilderness seeking A refuge in matter; but he— In his growing perception of Love as the Father of all— Could he stay, Or forbear to go forth with the Word of the Lord, Though the way Passed through scorn and derision of those who heard not, Would not see? Imprisoned and beaten: a failure? Alone? Ah, not he! For the love of the Father he taught And the presence of God Were the consciousness where he abode, Lit the way that he trod.

Serene the early morning hour, Calm with the strength of hidden power. All sense of yesterday grows dim, Tomorrow ever rests with Him, But now at dawn profound, deep peace Enfolds this promise: Love's increase.

Of all the many reasons For seeking Truth, this one Is patently the noblest: For love of Truth alone. Not for the hope of heaven, Not for the fear of hell, But for the love of Truth itself— Truth, the ineffable!

Great peace have they who know the Father's law; They have no other thought than to obey, Assured a blessing follows each command. Great peace have they.

When , graciously, My heart began to learn that Justice is kind, and merciful, And whole, Those who had distressed my soul Began, at once, to pay their debt, And both their needs and mine Were met.

Steadfast the evening star— May I as steadfast be, Strongly, yet gently, gleaming far Over a restless sea. Unmoved the mountain rock— May I as unmoved be When mortal sense's angry shock Would shake my trust in Thee.

When vision dims, sees not the sun, Knows not God's day with Truth begun Because a cloud mist hangs between, Let Love gild with a golden beam, O doubting one; thy world make fair. Look higher than earth's mist or air: Look where no storm or cloud can be, Where God's own sun shines through to thee.

So I am all alone. And shall I grieve At empty houses, empty hearts, or loss Of what seemed dear and needful? Can there be An empty heart, when it is overbrimmed With love for God and man? An empty house, When earnest work to know Love's truth has filled Its every nook? Have I lost anything, Or anyone, when God is here, and All? —When He is Love, and all the love I need! —When that divine and mothering tenderness Broods over me, speaks in these silent rooms, Lights up the hovering dark, and stands His guard Of bright, unmatched protection at my door! Have I lost any good, when God is here? Do I lack any love, when Love is mine?

Measured by mortals into old and new, The year is limited to certain days. Above, beyond this transient, earth-bound view, Eternity awaits the inspired gaze.

I waken from a dream, And where is then The nightmare horror that beset the way? (So very real it seemed, so present there The nothingness that fades in thinnest air. ) I waken from a dream.