Article March 25, 1933 Issue

"The beauty of holiness"

GWENDOLYN M. L. THOMAS

Many people aspire to express themselves in poetry. Although possibly they have glimpsed thoughts rare and luminous enough to shine in verse, not having devoted themselves to a study of the art of poetic expression they often fail in their ambition, and after perhaps a little disillusioning determine to resort to the effort to write good prose.

In this they are probably wise. The desire to express something beautiful is a worthy desire, and those who cherish it should be comforted in remembering that though their ability to write lovely poetry may not be realized at present, the living of "the beauty of holiness" certainly is possible. Countless numbers of unselfish, valiant, joyful, and gentle men and women have led lives that have been true and fine as is beautiful poetry.

Suppose that we are bent on expressing "the beauty of holiness," how can we best begin? Poets, when expressing poetic thoughts in patterns of rhythmical language, may correct their work again and again. Thus are great works of art brought into expression. To live beautifully we need to do this also, the pattern we are working at being nothing less than the spiritual ideal of what the son of God must be, and our life-endeavor, the expression of this ideal brought out in practical details. In correcting our thinking and living, then, we must use care to denounce error or evil, and to fill our thoughts and daily doings with right, the good, the true, thus bringing into our experience something of the true beauty which inheres in divine Mind. How is the rhythm of true living to be achieved? There is a technique to learn, a plan to pursue. Instructions for living a life of heavenly harmony are to be found in the Bible, and among the foremost are the Beatitudes given by Christ Jesus.

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