Questions & Answers
This torch I bear, God help me hold it high, That it may shed its light On every passer-by; That it may reach the lame, The deaf, the dumb, the blind, And draw the aged and youth— This flaming torch of Truth. This torch I bear, God help me keep it bright, Untarnished from the world, Undimmed by error's night; Grant that its beams may free The bonds of all mankind, The cultured or uncouth— This flaming torch of Truth.
Why chide thy brother if he stray And tread in steps not of thy way? This be thy steadfast claim alway: He is a son of God. What mote ye see as his alone Deny that any eye can own, Lest beams in thine eye may be known.
A mortal dazed by pain and weak with fear Asked of his brother aid, and swiftly, clear And strong the answer came, gentle and sure: "Be comforted, for you are safe, secure; God's ever-present Love protects His own; His arm upholds you; you are not alone. " And as the fear was banished, healing came, Proving that error had no power, no claim Where one, whose consciousness so clearly saw It as unreal, devoid of truth or law, Beheld man as God's child, upright and free, Walking in strength divine, at liberty.
Disclosing Life eternal, Devoid of shade or time, The Christmas light is shining For every age and clime. A constant Christmas have we, A never-ending day, With Christ forever present In Truth's eternal way.
" Until the morning light ye shall not go Out at the door. Upon the lintel, on The two side posts the blood shall be.
Let not the idle word be spoken— The word that does not spring From heart's sincerity; Nor let one write a sentence Bold beyond the standard of his proving. Words spoken thoughtlessly are void, Meaningless phrases that are born to die.
Here where I stand is holy ground whereon To prove God present is—potent to save From war, destruction, fear, or mortal wave Of panic, and to know He guards His own. Why seek for place more safe against the test? Can there be spot where Life and Love have waned? Where evil threatens men with lie, profaned, That God is not all-power, made manifest? Nay—nor shall baseless fear engulf my heart, For safe he shall abide who makes his prayer A consciousness of God's eternal care, Denying unto error place or part.
In reflection is protection; This is God's decree. There's no danger, harm, or stranger When I walk with Thee.
A word came from the Lord: "What doest thou here, Elijah? Rise and eat, lest thou shouldst find The task too great, the journeying too far. " He rose, casting away discouragement That almost seemed despair.
Beloved Leader! Could my heart forget A love so deep and warm, unselfed and pure, The whole wide world grows richer in your debt For God revealed as tender, near, and sure? What harried, hurried sense could half prevail Against this earnest, real, and swift desire? My duty to my Leader shall not fail Through doubt or gloom, through grief or testing fire. For gratitude is such a living thing It springs to joyous action in the Cause You founded—Christian Science, pledged to bring Mankind's release from cruel creeds and laws.