Poems

Dear Father-Mother God, the service bless, That with the words Thy message shall be clear, Distinctly read that all the truth may hear! May burdened thought be freed from cares that press; Thy healing presence banish weariness; From fearful ones be lifted all their fear, As listeners feel the holy atmosphere. "Our only preachers" unselfed love express! Dear Father-Mother God, in silent prayer (Unspoken thought is not unknown to Thee) We now do ask for each one here this day Such comfort and such sureness of Thy care, Such respite from material sense, that he With joyful heart will journey on his way.

One Sabbath day, about ten years ago, My daughter's daughter took me by the hand And led me where the women used to go: The place of prayer down by the riverside. Assembled there I found a little band Of earnest people listening to Paul.

When Job sat desolate in his distress, No outer warmth relieved his inner cold. Each comforter had warned him to confess His sorrows were his secret sins grown bold.

God gives you your happiness. It is a secret thing Swelling into flower from the seed of gratitude.

Do I pray daily for release from self, Seeking to know no other will than Thine? Do I deny beliefs of fear and lack, Knowing my needs are met in Love divine? Oh, do I listen ere I take a step, Yielding the willful for the wiser way? Ceasing to outline, do I only seek To know not time, but God's unfolding day? When I might walk the world's more tempting path, Have I the courage for the narrow road? Does cold indifference stay the helping hand, Or pride the lifting of a brother's load? Have I the vision, do I know the real? When error falsely claims, then do I see Beyond illusive doubt, and humbly know Myself and fellow man as whole and free? No future, then, with glorious goal afar, But here and now attained hope's gleaming star. If thus obedient, I can truly say, Yea, I am in Thy service, Lord, today.

By God appointed, she revealed the laws Of Life and Truth and Love that govern man. She proved the only Principle and cause Is perfect God, sustaining perfect man Beyond the reach of death and sin and pain.

In Thy way, Father, and at Thy command Would I fulfill the purpose Thou hast planned. Oh, let my ears be open to Thy Word, My heart prepared to do what shall be heard.

How wonderful it is at last to know! My heart rejoices at the tender word Which I have sought so long and learned today. I left my home these many weeks ago To seek the great I AM, of whom I'd heard, The God to whom all men must come to pray.

The house in Lynn Was filled with healing peace, That summer morning, as we slowly climbed The narrow flight of stairs And reached the room Beneath the skylight where the rocker stood. Never was a room, so humbly furnished, Filled With quieter holiness.

Though waters roar, though mountains shake, Though error's storms about us break Till earth and heaven seem to quake, Along His tried and perfect way God leads us safely day by day, When His commandments we obey.