Poems

I have a Friend that daily walks with me, Who thought to tread alone a weary road. I have a Friend whom others may not see, And yet He dwells with me in my abode.

Does your anxious mother-heart Yearn to shield your traveler dear? Are you fearful, as he goes, Lest his journey hold a tear? Has he listened to the truth, And then seemed to give no heed? Oh, remember! God has blessed Soil and sower, plant and seed. Loose your traveler—leave him free! He is God's, no less than you.

They could not conquer Love! For all their frantic boast, Not Pilate in the judgment hall, Nor Herod with his host; Though Judas tried with lying kiss, None could accomplish this! They could not vanquish Truth, Nor smother Truth with stone; They set a guard of Caesar's men Close beside the tomb; Untouched by threats of rage or hate, Truth stood, inviolate! They could not conquer Life, With shouting or with sword! Death with its empty boast dissolved Before the Word; Untouched by virulence or strife, Life remained Life!

Go feed my sheep, the Master said With tender voice and low; Go give to each the bread of Life, To all my loved ones go. And, Peter, if thou lovest and Wouldst my disciple be, Go speak to each the words of Truth As thou hast learned of me.

When by the sea Tiberias Jesus stood, His thought illumed with resurrection light, He spake to his disciples, who in vain Had toiled throughout a dark and cheerless night, Saying, Cast on the right side, ye shall find. Although they knew him not, at his command— Sensing its quiet power—they cast again, And multitudes of fishes drew to land.

Pause here and rest, you who are weighed with care, And at the feet of Love lay down your fear. The Word invites you to green pastures fair, And to its wells of living waters near.

Since I have learned to follow in the way Of Thy dear truth, gladly I do resign My careful plans, and all I thought was gain, And try to mold my human will to Thine. No worldly thing can e'er supplant the joy Of Life divine I had not known before.

To love the Lord thy God with all thy being, Thy neighbor as the Lord commanded thee, Is drawing near the kingdom of our Father, Which Jesus said the pure in heart shall see. This kingdom is within you, said the Master; 'Tis neither here, nor there, nor far away.

Have you grown weary of mortal seeming— Weary of error's insistent din? Turn, then, away from doleful dreaming, Turn from the saddening scenes of sin. "Come ye apart," the Christ is saying.

My Father shows me every day How I should walk along the way; And when it seems a weary road Then Love doth lift the heavy load Of care, and pain, and sorrow, And bids me dwell in peace today, And fear no ill tomorrow. Then, "Thank Thee, God" I humbly say.