Questions & Answers
When first the radiant light of Truth fell on my gaze, The very heart within me swelled with joy, And hymns of praise rose from my lips. Oh, with what eagerness I rushed to fight with self, The claims of sin and pain; And as each error fell away, I knew the joy again Of glorifying God.
The gates of the kingdom of heaven will not open To the big battalions or to the battering-ram. Hurl the mightiest missile against them; nothing will happen.
" Easter Day ," said I, "should be observed With reverent thanks for life renewed. " At church I heard the holy Word And sang glad hymns of gratitude, Then meditated on love too great For lips to speak or words to say.
Even Pilate's men forbore to rend Christ's seamless robe, so finely wrought And woven with inspired Consistency. If we would also be thus radiantly Attired, Then we must strive to fashion of our thought A Christly vesture pure, of seven-hued white, Woven throughout with shining threads of Truth's Clear light.
" Mary !" exalted salutation, Not startling, frightening, But quietly, with love's consideration, Divinely, tenderly, the Master speaks to her As does the Christ to every faithful follower Even at sepulcher, waiting expectantly. We breathe with her a happy, deep-drawn sigh, "Master!" "Rabboni!" The gladdened eye illumes, beholds The certain proof that man, God's cherished son— Triumphant child of hope and grace—lives on, Can never die, but dwells in Life's eternity.
There was a time I built a golden dream Of noble work. My heart had plans prepared To serve my fellow men.
Immediately! The sacred pages say The Master healed the sick And raised the dead. To leper, sinner, cripple, maimed, The healing Word was said, And all were freed and thus acclaimed Immediately.
John the beloved watched from Patmos shore The prisoning sea receding wave by wave. Then he perceived the "sea" should be "no more.
I thought I was a good transparency. My needs were amply met.
Cut through cables of self-will anchoring To earth, with trenchant stroke of gratitude. Spread faith's ardent wing And thrust Through cloud-ceiling Of fear to higher altitude Of quiet trust And wait on God; resting In Truth, as birds rest, poised in space, Borne on unseen currents, Upward surging.