The Child of God

W. CYPRIAN BRIDGE

His waking thoughts are of his God,
To whom with unfeigned praise he turns,
And heartfelt song of gratitude
For all the good on him bestowed.
Thus for his day's work well prepared,
Happy and free he goes his way,
With smile, and helpful word for all
Whom in life's throng and press he meets.
No thought of strife, no greed for gain,
His thought besets; he rather asks
What he can give, how help the poor
And satisfy his brother's need.
Imparting thus, he finds the wealth
Which from th' eternal source outpours
On those who pattern the divine.
Blest is his home; joy reigns within,
And love on all sheds gentle beam;
While plague thereto no entrance finds;
And at the door sin knocks in vain.
Turning to Principle divine,
The source of good, and good alone,
By silent prayer he heals the sick,
By Truth o'ercomes both sin and death,
And opens wide the gate of hope
For all oppressed by earthly ills.
Thus ever seeking good to do,
His way is peace; and grateful tongues
Invoke God's blessing on his head
As ev'rywhere men call him friend,
And feel the uplift of his thought.
In the full panoply of Love^{See Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 571 .}
At all times clad, he nothing fears;
For ev'ry shaft of human hate
Against his armor harmless falls.
Then when at night he goes to rest,
Once more he gratefully gives thanks
For all the good to him vouchsafed
Throughout the day, well satisfied
If during those past fruitful hours
Some loving thought or word or deed
Has drawn him nearer by one step,
Unto the Father's throne of grace.