Poem October 12, 1946 Issue

Choose Ye This Day

MARGARET TROILI CAMPBELL

Elijah sent word for all Israel to come,
And they came from their worship of Baal, still sullen.
He charged them, "How long do ye falter between
The Lord who is God, and the idol, this Baal?"
The people answered him not with one word.
Do we come in spite of hearts hardened, resisting?

The altar was ready, the prophet prepared:
"The God that will answer by fire, let him
Be God." And they said, "It is spoken full well."
Are we willing to listen, at least, to wisdom?

The altar was broken, and Baal dishonored.
Then spoke the prophet, "Come near unto me."
And all the people drew near unto him—
The people he loved, the people he prayed for.
"Oh, let it be known that Thou art our God,
And that I am Thy servant, sent forth by Thy word."
The fire then fell, and consumed all the dust,
The stones, and the wood, and the sacrifice—
The faithless fear, the distrust, and the folly.
Are we purged as by fire, of matter and evil?