Poems

Open your heart to good, my friend; Oh, let it fairly overflow Thy consciousness, for good alone Is here for us to have and know. Open your ears to hear, your eyes To see, what God has freely given— Each day something so fresh, so new, So wonderful, revealing heaven.

With faltering steps, O God, I stumbled on; My eyes were clouded by a heavy mist, Until I learned to look each day to Thee, To keep with Thee a very sacred tryst. For now before the sun awakes the bird, I seek Thee early, early in the morn; I talk with Thee and hear Thy quickening Word, And feel the glow of righteousness reborn.

There was a man—once babe of Bethlehem— Whose coming had been long foretold by them, God's prophets; it was he who where he went Beheld none sick, nor blind, nor burden-bent— Saw only Truth, which filled his garment's hem, His Christliness his only diadem. There was a woman, strong in God's great might, Who sought from dawn to dusk, through candled night, To know the way the loving Saviour healed.

I thought of that brief time of ministry When Jesus trod the shores of Galilee And taught his followers God's love and power. Had I lived then, I could have ministered Unto him, and where'er he went and showed The way to us, I would have followed too, And done some lowly service for him there.

I do not ask that Thou, eternal Truth, Shouldst make Thy steadfast promises more sure, But that my heart may grow to understand Till trust shall reign where doubt held sway before. O ever-present Life, I do not pray That Thou shouldst closer draw, for Thou art here; But open Thou mine eyes that I may see The nothingness of hate, of death, of fear.

My heart awoke to find to its dismay, In spite of all earth's sages had to say, God did not walk with me along my way. But when the lights of all the world grew dim, I, groping through the anguished interim, Found what it means to walk His way—with Him.

There is a place prepared for those who love; The poor in spirit, persecuted, meek, The merciful and pure, and they that mourn, May find therein the comfort that they seek. Bounded by bliss, its shelter tenderness.

Be strong, dear heart, for all is well; E'en though destruction, death, or hell Seem present, we know God is here! Love fills all space, there's nought to fear. Be still, dear heart; know that the peace Of Life divine can never cease; The time draws near when all shall own That God is Lord and Lord alone.

We cannot say when we begin or when we cease to pray; Within our hearts a thirst unslaked constrains us night and day To listen for our Father's voice, to seek His tender care, And when the tempter lifts his head, our refuge find in prayer. But never need we plead with God, the omnipresent Mind, To change the plans which He evolves for those our hands designed.

There is surcease from keenest pain, There is release from sin's dark stain, When I let God be God to me. Within Love's all-embracing arms, I hide me safe from fear's alarms; And worldly pleasures come to be But tinkling cymbals unto me.