Questions & Answers
Sad-hearted came they at the break of day As the sun rose—and morning mists hung gray Above the olive groves, a silvery veil Of flying shadows, gossamer and pale— Unto the tomb. And did they come in faith That, spite of all, their Lord had conquered death? Nor think him in the grave, asleep, alone? Or had they trust that Love could lift that stone? Swift sorrow turns to joy when, as they come, Two angels greet them from the empty tomb; And with that sweet assurance, "He is risen"! They know their Master freed from death's dark prison.
When gallant hearts put out from earthly shore, Like winging birds that fare beyond our sight, We who keep watch beside the breakers' roar Can know that God directs their onward flight; That in their progress, limitless and free, They still reflect eternal Life, and bear True witness to their immortality While tended by the Father's certain care. We need not keep our gaze upon the line Where last we saw their forms, for they are near In all the qualities of Love's design Expressed around us for our daily cheer; And recognizing this we rise above A sense of loss to claim immortal love.
He said he was my enemy, And I believed it for a time, Thus armed him well with barb and spear: With hatred, vengeance, grim old fear, Deceitful greeds and lustful grime, And subtle darts of rivalry. Oh, keen the weapons that I made, And sharp the thoughts which gave them edge.
Here is all of holiness, Beauty and true faithfulness; Life abundant, full, and free, Truth and love and loyalty; Wisdom coming from above, Joy expressing God's great love. Here are freedom from all pain, Mercy as the gentle rain; Tenderness and quietude, Loveliness and plenitude.
At tranquil dawn, that first glad Easter day— Where lilies bloomed, where Truth revealed its might When human thought was lifted to its height— Two Marys came, to see where Jesus lay. A shaft of sunlight pierced the morning's gray, Dispelled the somber gloom, the shadowed night, Then, lengthening, bathed the tomb with radiant light; And there, behold! the stone was rolled away.
Giving , ever giving, For what is Thine is mine; Striving, ever striving, To further Thy design! Seeking, ever seeking, For so our Lord hath willed; Finding, ever finding, The promise is fulfilled! Praying, ever praying, For humble is my heart; Serving, ever serving, For 'tis the Christlike part! Loving, ever loving, For Love is Life divine; Saying, ever saying, Thy will, dear Lord, not mine!
On that sunlit day in Gilgal, the man Of God gave his command—not his, but Love's— "Seethe pottage. " Sons of prophets, meekly come To hear Elisha speak of God—these must be fed, If they would feed the famishing, for dearth Was in the land.
And when he saw that they would make him king, He left the multitudes and went his way. The sun was sinking, and the mountains seemed To catch in their high peaks its last warm ray, And flood the path he trod with burnished gold; Then Jesus was alone, and it was night.
Blest place, where God's ideas abide And sense doth ne'er hold sway; With Life replete, by Truth illumed, And set in Love alway! Built not by cunning craftsmen's art, Nor yet of stone or wood, But of pure thoughts God doth erect The consciousness of good. Heaven's harmonies are free to all Who Spirit's mansion find; In Soul's abode they safely dwell, At one with perfect Mind.
All human needs Thy love will ever meet: Father, engraft this truth within our heart, That we from Thee can never dwell apart. True man—Thine image—perfect, whole, complete, Suffers no lack.