Poems

No fit baptismal, John knew, Were Jordan's muddy waters For that one, the latchet of whose shoe, He felt, he was not worthy to touch. But Jesus, through this very meekness, Submission to earth's highest present concept, Perceived the true baptismal substance.

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness," O Lord, May we in our living keep thought in accord With all that is holy, that we may possess The good that is ours through Spirit's largess. May we remain confident, free from all fear, Knowing that good is Thy gift for the year.

" How readest thou?" With understanding clear, With strength as you go forward in the fight To gain the well-sought victory of right And cast out fear? Or do you read the empty word, the creed, The form, the outer shell that has no power To meet the needs of this important hour? Where is the deed? If while you read, upheld by Love's strong rod, You listen for the meaning of the Word, Truth will reveal itself; lo, you have heard! You read with God. Thus shall you gather, sow, yes, here and now, And build your temple on foundation sure To help mankind be whole and free and pure.

Picture the scene upon that distant day: The stern, superior doctors of the law, The grim, accusing, jeering Pharisees, The people gathered in the synagogue To hear the explanation of the Word, And in their midst the gentle Nazarene! How deep the temple's silence must have been As the young Prophet spoke. "Stretch forth thy hand," he said expectantly, And, lo, the man whose hand hung by his side Withered and useless Heard that firm command, Obeyed that ringing voice.

I used to pray for self alone, For greater blessings, all my own. I wondered why my eager word So often seemed to go unheard— Why the Father failed to heed My fervent utterance of need.

The children put their hands in His; they know The safety of their Father-Mother God. How could they fail, who love the Shepherd so, To learn the uses of His staff and rod? Should error tempt us to account it true, Or should we grapple with our fears in vain, Then let us capture innocence anew And as a child confide in Love again.

" Why did I do it?" Still the cry is heard from grieving human hearts around the earth, and back in answer comes the healing word, "Man has made no mistake; man has not fallen. " This is the healing, scientific fact: that God created man for His delight, to show His glory forth in word and act from everlasting unto everlasting.

It was wintertime, during the Feast of the Dedication, that Jesus walked in the porch of Solomon's temple. High upon the eastern hill opposite the Mount of Olives, facing east and looking out from over the cedars of Lebanon on across the valley of the Jordan, where, be the weather dark or fair, this temple of Solomon's stood glistering in its overlay of gold.

We thank You, Father, for the joy Of knowing You are here; For understanding of the truth That conquers pain and fear; For consciousness of radiant Life That is Yourself alone, And knowledge of enfolding Love That ever guards its own. For all these gifts our thanks we bring; There is no more to ask, Except that we remember them In every daily task; That we may ever bear in mind Their amplitude and power, And let the thought of Love divine Fill every golden hour.

May I be swift to hear Thy angel message, Which comes in stillness to the listening ear; The inspiration of Thy love and goodness That quiets fear and pain, oh, let me hear. Let me be slow to speak and patient ever To wait on wisdom, to withhold the dart That may, perchance, offend an erring brother, Where loving-kindness proves the better part.