The Standard

FREDERICK STARR CAMPBELL

When , like a flood, wrong thoughts would o'er me roll,
Threat'ning to overwhelm, shall I, resigned,
Bow 'neath their sway as to a master mind,
Admit their right to cruelly oppress,
Of health and happiness exacting toll,
As ancient Hebrew bent to Egypt's yoke?
Time was when I did dumbly acquiesce,
Surrendering to error's vicious stroke.
But now, blest Father-Mother God, I praise
Thee for a standard, ready to my hold,
To follow in the fight, which Thou dost raise
Against the foe: 't is the glad tidings told
To men through the Christ Science, new, yet old,
Of God's infinitude, and nothingness
Of human sense with its false claims to power.
Thus when suggestions of disease or sin
Assay to wreck my peace, and basely pour
Their lies to deluge me,—in that dark hour
Grasping Truth's banner, will I guard the door
Of consciousness, that they come not within
To dwell and rule and direful havoc make.
Unprincipled and lawless all! I take
Firm stand against their threats, for, howsoe'er
Affrighting they may seem, I now rejoice
They own nor truth nor reason, and do not
Authority divine present. E'en though
Believed, a lie drowns not the "still small voice."
The darkness overpowers not the light.
What if ten thousand tongues do shout the wrong,
They have no force to change one jot of right;
So, clamor loud of the onrushing foe,
Boasting, Goliath-like, with bluster loud,
Is quenched by knowing the omnipotence
Of good. Then, put to flight inglorious
Before the bearer of the glowing shield
Of faith, shall each of mortal concepts fall,
All proved untrue, unreal,—the craven crowd.

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