Questions & Answers
Spring , the recurring, forevermore bringing Joy in rich fullness, in gladness upspringing; Touched by no sadness we watch its receding, Sure its return waits no sorrowful pleading; Glad of its promise, its questioning truth— Why not thus joy in the presence of youth? Spring, the unchanging, with fragrance upwelling, Ever exultant, of sweet fruitage telling, Sunshine or shade, with rich promises teeming, Certain of future triumphant redeeming, Never a murmur of doubting—forsooth, Shall we not thus reckon largely with youth? Spring, the eternal, time's passage defying, All of its ravages calmly denying, Year after year in glad freshness unfolding— Ah, our sad eyes are slow in beholding! When in spring's advent we vision God's truth, Then shall we harbor perennial youth!
Oh, that I may behold Thy beauty, Lord, In some small part Thy wisdom comprehend; The favored earth is but Thy footstool, Lord; How must Thy grace eternal all transcend! So much of love and beauty poured forth here, The heart impelled lifts up, Divinity! Then bow we low in holy orisons — What is the measure of infinity? A star-gemmed, firmament-encircled home, Bedecked and drawn in splendor by the sun, The music of the spheres where'er we roam, 0 beauteous world! Thy footstool, perfect One!
At-one with Thee, O Life divine, The way, illumined, upward leads, And from the shadowy valley winds, For human sense no longer pleads. At-one with Thee, O Truth divine, False concepts vanish, errors fall, For naught unlike Thyself finds place Within the thought where Truth is all.
I am content. Whatever winds may blow, or foul or fair, God gives me wings to breast the blast, or ride On lofty pinions plumed for heavenward flight, The crystal airs of rarer atmospheres Above the storm.
When we have learned to love our fellow man As Jesus loved, and truly understand The nothingness of error, sin, and pain, We can go forth with joy and peace and power And prove Christ's living presence hour by hour, With comforting and healing works again. When we have learned that God is our supply, We do not fret, nor fear, nor question why We cannot see the path that lies ahead; But we can happy be each busy day, And trust, as does the little child at play, The Love that meets our every need, instead.
He spoke of peace and comfort and rejoicing; He told us of a Father who is Love. He said, No more shall men be held in bondage For they shall turn their thought to Him above.
'Twas night, deep darkness filled the heart, When lo, a tender voice was heard With accents sweet of peace and calm: Look up and thou shalt see the light. At first the voice seemed dim and faint, Scarce heeded till its truth was felt; Then joy and gladness filled the heart, And reassurance, strong and free, Brought courage, confidence, and trust.
O Love, whose everlasting rays Are seen in depth and height, Illumine us in all our ways, Our thoughts to heavenly mansions raise, And clothe our faith in sight. No faith but must be found in Thee, No thought apart from Mind.
Tenderly the sunset's rays Lay upon the quiet sea, On that evening, long ago, In dear, far-off Galilee; While upon the shore there stood, Folded in the evening glow, One who healed the multitude Of their sickness, sin, and woe. Oh, the beauty of that face, Full of tenderness divine; Oh, the sweetness of that voice, Full of graciousness benign, As he spoke the words of peace, Words of tender, healing cheer, Lifting men to kinship sweet With the Father, close and dear.
The midnight hour rolls by and ushers in Another year of hope, of good unseen; Wrapped in the mantle of a starlit night, Clear, pure, and keen it dawns upon our sight, The silent promise of a fuller light Than yet has been. Another year has slid into the past With all its weight of woe and pleasure, cast Back into shadow by the dawning beam; And things that once seemed real now but seem The lifeless fancies of a fading dream That do not last.