Set under Authority

PETER J. HENNIKER HEATON

"Put on the whole armour of God."—Ephesians 6:11.

Mountain tops of selfishness, deeps of unreality,
Have they seemed to baffle thee toiling for the right?
Thou shalt overcome them, bearing God's insignia,
Sonship and servanthood and proof mail of light.

Fasten on the helmet of salvation and of gratitude,
Buckle on the breastplate of honest thoughts and true;
Take the winged sandals that have borne the meek
evangelists,
Wakefulness and glad desire the works of peace to do.

Hang from thy sword belt the truth's sharp falchion,
Needing not to battle; as it lightens from afar,
Shadows that have heralded the march of dream battalions
Fade, as the night fades before the morning star.

These be thy medal-clasps and these thy decorations,
Joy and strong obedience giving of their best,
Stars of the orders of the chivalry of Christendom,
Faith and hope and charity, glowing on thy breast.

Wrap about thy shoulders the mantle of protection,
Every splendid strand of it with thoughts of love replete,
Love more imperial than purple of an emperor,
Love more humble than the grass beneath thy feet.

Forth thou shalt go then: error shall acknowledge thee
Clothed in authority that cometh from above.
Then shall the mountain tops remove before humility,
Then shall the stormy deeps obey the voice of Love.

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