Poem September 21, 1968 Issue

APPOINTED TO SING

II Chronicles 20:21

Gerald Stanwell

My call had come to fight. "Break your faith
with dreams of freedom and the rights of man,"
the tempter whispered.

Memory bid me scan
the story of Jehoshaphat the king—
how he appointed singers to the Lord!
"I have no voice!"

Then sing within your heart,
not carelessly to steal the time of day
cloistered in selfish pride, but fearlessly to stay
in the front rank of thought; help to part
menacing tribes of anger! Shoulder arms
of acknowledgment and praises to the Lord!
Declare that His mercy endures! Then with accord
will others catch the secret of your poise,
lay their placards down, hearing the ring
of soldiers not marshaled but rather appointed to sing.
Praise of good is evil's surest fate,
and gratitude is ambushment to hate.

Gerald Stanwell

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