Poems

This is my prayer, dear God, Father of all: Not for more blessings, since I am the heir Of Thine infinitude and now recall Each tender proof of Thy long-suffering care; Rather for growth in grace that I may prove My worthiness of love in loving deed, And thus, reflecting Love, indeed may move My brother to seek further in his need And find the Principle that saves and heals. So, helping one another, may we go Onward with that high vision which reveals Thy holy city, knowing that these slow And halting footsteps on the narrow way Will disappear when we awake to day.

I think my Father heard me say I had no time in one short day To show my thanks sufficiently For all the good He gives to me, Because He answered, "You will see, My child, you have eternity. ".

To all Love cried: "Unlatch your shuttered windows, let My all-encircling light Illumine your conceivings bare and crude. " But some replied: "Yet a day longer let us seek! Why must we now forsake The joy that is on easeful matter laid?" Then Love again: "Still shall I knock upon your door, And after trials dire You will make room for me when that day's gone.

Do you behold yourself an earth-bound sinner? Or sick, perhaps, or wearied with life's tasks? Then rouse you! You are only dreaming— God made you holy, well, and asks But that you live with joyous lightness, That you will see beyond the earthly masks. He has not made a single care or sorrow To grieve the heart of His own well-loved son; And as you waken from unhappy dreaming, You know yourself as free, with God at one.

God governs all who enter here To rest in this calm, cheerful room. No space is here for cares or fear, Disease, or any shade of gloom.

God's kingdom is within, the Master taught, And gave the glorious proof that each may know Within himself the radiant, living glow Of Life, of Love—the good he long has sought— Reflected in his every righteous thought. No waiting years, no farther need he go Than where he stands.

To one in doubt there came one day these questions: Why are my prayers unanswered for so long? Why is my heart so hurt by life's dark shadows, Not cheered and lifted by some God-sent song Of joy—of Life—of Love's eternal presence? Why does God send to me such deep despair That all the way of life seems dark and empty— No sun, no moon, nor star of night so fair? And then this answer came with sweet compassion: "God does not hurt the children of His love. God does not send to you great tribulation, But comforts you, and bids you rise above All mortal sense, and fear and pain and sorrow.

Oh , let us give, without a thought of gain, Give gladly from our hearts so richly full Of Truth that it may heal another's pain, Or wash a sinner's heart as "white as wool. " And if we cannot give to those who gave Abundantly to us, oh, let us give To those who seem to lack, and still are brave.

O loving Father, unto Thee I turn To save me from my fears and faltering faith, And learn that Thy protecting arm is near To strengthen me and guide me on the way To that eternal bliss reserved by Thee For those aspiring from the galling chain Of mortal bondage freedom to attain, And from earth's vain illusions turning A full emancipation finding. Thou art the only way.

" Lazarus , come forth!" In might of Truth's dominion The Master spake to one who had not died. Death, the unreal, was vanquished in that moment; And Lazarus, living, stood by Jesus' side.