"River. Channel of thought"*

JOHN WHITE

Once, in the Syria of a former day,
There dwelt a soldier, honored and obeyed.
He led her armies their victorious way,
And under tribute all her foemen laid.
Yet, Naaman was a leper!

Both young and old have ever loved this tale:
Honored the maid who knew that God could heal;
Rejoiced to find the prophet's word prevail,
Or blessed a wife's dear care or praised the zeal
Of Namman's loyal servants.

Who has not watched that pageant wend its way
And pause before the threshold of the seer?
Heard the discerning prophet calmly say,
Go wash in Jordan's river flowing near,
Seven times, and get thy healing?

Seen, too, how rebel thought bade Naaman stand
To ask why Jordan had such power to bless?
Or, if the rivers of his native land
Were in their beauty or their virtue less
Able to heal his sickness?

Though mortal eyes behold a river flow
As water—rough or smooth or clear or cold—
Man's Spirit-lighted vision sees the glow
Of channels whence Truth's holy thoughts unfold
To purer apprehension.

Then, like the unceasing river, be our task
To see that man is now God's perfect child;
Find thus the cleansing, health—all we need ask—
Though channels of a thought which, undefiled,
Is always God expressing.

*Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, page 593.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit