Questions & Answers
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.
God has His plan and program for today, the day that He has made, the master plan conceived majestically, the smallest detail specified and every detail good. At first we may not see the workings plain, the distant purpose that He sets in train to bless us in its season; but we know God is at work.
The treasure of the lapidary's art, The talisman to wear upon your heart, The consecration emblem, your rank's right, The Urim and the Thummim, pouring light— The jewel of perfection! Oh, wear it with the thought, "I shall be free From everything that mars, eternally; I shall forever know myself God's child, And keep, all polished brightness, undefiled, The jewel of perfection. ".