Poems

Grace Before Service

FANNY DE GROOT HASTINGS

For what we now are to receive, dear Lord—The soaring Psalms, the melody of praise,The message that has fed us seven days,Transcribed from page to heart, pure word by word,The blessed silence and the faith restoredBy draughts of prayer that satisfy always—For all of these and so much more that staysOur hunger, Lord, our thanks for this Thy board.

Poem

Emergence

MILDRED KENDALL

Now that your tears are spentAnd only this dark weight of grief remainsUncomforted by tender word or offered hand,And solace seems an alien tongue,Turn thought to God.

Poem

The Dawn

JAMES TOWNSHEND MAC VICAR

Before the dawn began to glowAcross the barren fields of fear,There was no light or song to cheer,Nor sage to tell you how to go,Nor chart to mark a friend from foe.

Poem

This Hour

EDNA HENDERSON STRAYER

I put my hand in His,And as I go my wayI prayThat, whatsoever thingI do or say,So much of LoveI may reflectThat confidence will banish fear,Evil lose its claim to power,As joyously I walk with HimToday,This very hour.

Poem

I Shall Keep My Joy

HAZEL HARPER BRANDNER

I shall keep my joy as a gladsome birdThat nests in the heart of me;At the red of dawn ere the lark is heardIt will sing in exuberant glee,     For joy is highest praise expressed—     The rhythm of Spirit made manifest.

Poem

On Upward Wing

F. INA BURGESS

The aviator points his planeFor lofty flight through clouds and rain;A gray, forbidding sky is spreadAcross that pathless space ahead,And bitter blasts with savage stingsBeat on his upward-soaring wings.