Article May 27, 1933 Issue

"Song knows no border line"

An appreciation of Mary Baker Eddy as poet and hymn-writer, by the Rev. T. M. Patterson,—Los Angeles, California

Hancock Press

"Song knows no border line." Therefore, when we consider Mary Baker Eddy as an American poet, we should erase all sectarian lines that divide, and see only the pure expression of poetry that makes a real contribution to our literature. Poetry is the sharing of any of life's vivid and lonely experiences in patterns of musical words. A poem that coordinates with prayer becomes a hymn, and it is here where Mrs. Eddy has reached the heights of poetic expression. Five of her hymns might well enrich any hymnal, for they breathe a true spirit of devotion and consecration. In them we find no reference to a creed or dogma, nor do we find the stock phrase of the ordinary teacher of religion. But we do find a dignity and simplicity and also clarity of thought that mark the great hymn writers of the world. Mrs. Eddy has a flowing style that is never cramped for the use of the right word, and she knows how to affirm. . . . The following stanzas from "O gentle presence" [Mother's Evening Prayer] is a good example of her poetic art (Poems, p. 4):

"O gentle presence, peace and joy and power;
O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour,
Thou Love that guards the nestling's faltering flight!
Keep Thou my child on upward wing tonight.

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