Questions & Answers
Out of the discord of evil, Into the peace of God's love; Out of the false and the seeming, Into true joy from above. Out of all earth fogs and sorrows, Into the light of Love's face; Out of all sickness and yearning, Into true health, strength and grace.
" Little children, Love each other," Were the words of sainted John. When, the journey nearly ended, This the thought, he dwelt upon.
I've been testing the promise of "Father," My God, who is, Mother and all, A husband to widow, a brother Who will not permit me to fall. He is leading me through the "still waters," Though billows are mountain-top high, With my hand in His, footstep ne'er falters, For I know that the pathway is dry.
' Twas sabbath morn. The city lay I In the embrace of dawn, which, As it blended with the approaching day, Revealed Cathedral dome, and lofty spire Of many a church, where people congregate To worship God; till at length, Its radiance rested on a Temple made Of stone, symmetrical and white, Which towered in silent speech, and Voiceless prayer, piercing the sky;— as if To point beyond the finite view, And lead the worn and weary unto Christ.
Dear Father-Mother, Love Divine I thank Thee that Thy Truth doth shine Into this darkened heart of mine, Turning my darkness into day; And pointing out the perfect way, That I from Thee may never stray; But sheltered by Thy loving care May safely pass each seeming snare, And boldly for the Truth declare. I thank Thee for Thy Love so near; Thy presence doth each moment cheer, And scatter every doubt and fear.
ALL the earthly things around us, Which we prize and hold so dear Are not worth the joy they give us, With the pleasure and the fear. For they waver and they vanish And they move at beck and call.
Dig channels for the stream of love, Where they may broadly run; And love has overflowing streams To fill them every one. For we must share if we would keep That good thing from above; Ceasing to give we cease to have, Such is the law of love.
WHAT can I ask of Thee, O God, Who giveth all to me? Life, Truth, and Love, the only Good, Thy gift eternally! And can I ask for less than these, Or do I plead for more! Have I with outstretched arms received Of that abundant store? Or do I ask for life to fill My cup with pleasures vain,— A human sense of life that leaves The dregs of want and pain? O Life divine! thy joys supreme Are far removed from these, And endeth not in discord, For all thy ways are peace. And when I ask for Thee to lend Unto my darkened way, The light of thy dear Love and Life, I know not how to pray, For Love and Life omnipotent Are omnipresent, too; And a true prayer would be to know And prove this statement true.
Shepherd of tender youth Guiding in love and truth, Through devious ways: Christ our triumphant King, Join we thy name to sing, And our dear children bring, Shouting thy praise! Most high and holy Lord, Glorious, revealing Word, Healer of strife: Thou didst thyself abase, That from sin's deep disgrace Thou mightest save our race, Giving us life. Thou art our great High Priest; Thou hast prepared the feast Of holy love: In all our sin and pain None call on thee in vain Help thou didst not disdain, Help from above.
Heaven is not reached at a single bound, But we build the ladder by which we rise From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, And we mount to its summit, round by round. I count this thing to be grandly true: That a noble deed is a step toward God— Lifting the soul from the common clod To a purer air and a broader view.