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VERSES AND PARABLES 
 
VERSES AND PARABLES 
 
 A little Collection 
 of fugitive Prose and Verse 
 
 now Arranged and 
 Printed for Gift Distribution 
 
 by 
 WILLIS E. BLOOMFIELD 
 
 (Eaci) little ra? of ItQl^t 
 
 {^elpis ma&e t^e tnotlli more i)ri(||)t. 
 
 Printed by George Seton Thompson Co. 
 M CM XVI 
 
lU 
 
 
 / 
 
 M 26 1916 
 
 5CI.A433493 
 
 "}A^ 
 
 I . 
 
Copyright 1916, by Willis E. Bloomfield 
 
 NOTE: Permission is hereby granted to 
 reprint any part of the text matter of this 
 book: PROVIDED; that full and proper 
 credit shall be given the author, and that 
 such text is accurately reproduced without 
 change in wording or punctuation. 
 
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF MY WIFE 
 
 MARGARET CONKLIN BLOOMFIELD 
 
 WHOSE SYMPATHY AND APPRE- 
 
 CIATION HAS BEEN FOR 
 
 YEARS MY STRONGEST 
 
 INSPIRATION 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 Who has endured pains utmost hell, 
 Could he but find fit words to tell 
 How even for such all may he well — 
 That out of loss we wrest our gain 
 And Love is lord of fear and pain — 
 He might have helpful word to say 
 To others treading lifers hard way. 
 
 Such word I strive herein to speak; 
 Yet know that words are all too weak 
 To voice our seeing. 'Neath the sun 
 The tiny streamlets prattling run. 
 Proclaiming loud to all who come 
 A shallow fiow: the deeps are dumb; 
 No voice is theirs as still they lie 
 To whisper of infinity. 
 
^be iCorb recompensfe ti)p toork, anb a 
 full retoarti be giben tbee of tbe Horb (^ob 
 of 3£(rael, unbet: toliosfe toingsi tbou basit 
 
 come to tcu£>t. 
 
 Ruth II; 4. 
 
VERSES AND PARABLES 
 
 OUR TRUST 
 
 Though now our heart is sick with 
 grief and yearning, 
 And scarred with pain; 
 Though joy seems fled, love's fire no 
 longer burning. 
 And hope but vain ; — 
 Yet do we trust that strength will 
 spring from sorrow, — 
 That pain and strife 
 Are but the heralds of a glad 
 tomorrow 
 Of fuller life. 
 
^tatktn unto titt boice of mp crp, mp 
 iling, anb mp (llob: jfor unto tijee ioill 3 
 jprap. iLcab me, TLottt, in ttjp rigbteousf- 
 ntii, make tf)p toap £(traigi)t before mp face. 
 
A PRAYER ' 
 
 Dear God, we pray for light; the 
 
 mists of creed 
 Too long have hid thy purpose from 
 
 our sight : 
 Teach us to know ourselves and thee 
 
 aright, 
 And grant us clearer faith for wider 
 
 need. 
 The old creeds fail us now, outworn 
 
 they breed 
 Unfaith, and drive us back into the 
 
 night 
 
 1 Written A. D. 1891. See also Prayer and Answer, 
 Page 73; and Realization, Page 109. 
 
^e '^abt ntth ttat one teacf) pnu agatn 
 bDi)ict| be tf)e ftrsit principles^ of tlje oraclesf of 
 #ob. jFor eberp one tfjat usfetb milfe isf un- 
 sibiUfuI in tfje toorb of tigfyttouintii; be is: 
 a babe. |@ut s^ttong meat belongetb to tbem 
 rtjat are of full age, eben tbosfc tobo bp reason 
 of usie babe tbeir itnsti exercis^eb to bisfcern 
 botb soob anb ebil. 
 
 HebTeu;s V; 12-14. 
 
From which we struggle upward 
 
 toward the light: 
 Their half truths led us once, now 
 
 they impede. 
 We need new bottles for our newer 
 
 wine; 
 We need a larger faith to help us live 
 A larger life; new knowledge that 
 
 will give 
 A lamp to lead us on to the divine: 
 So may we climb to where the 
 
 Christ-Man stood 
 Alone, our highest type of Love and 
 
 Good. 
 
Jfor rtjine epcsJ arc upon all Hje toaps! of 
 ti)t itm6 of men: to gibe ebetp one according 
 to fiia taiapd, anb accorbing to ti)t fruit of 
 i)\i boingg. 
 
 Jeremiah XXXII; 19. 
 
THE PARABLE OF THE 
 LITTLE VESSELS 
 
 There was a certain rich man 
 which had great possessions: and his 
 heart yearned over all the poor and 
 needy, insomuch that he desired 
 greatly to give them of his treasure. 
 And he sent servants throughout the 
 land to cry aloud and say that whoso 
 would might come and receive freely. 
 
 And many which heard said one 
 unto another, Surely this man hath 
 not so great riches that he will give 
 freely whatsoever we may ask; yet, 
 peradventure, he will give to every 
 
10 
 
 iBtot eberp one rtjat siapctij unto me, 
 TLotti, ILoxh, gfjall enter into tfje feingbom of 
 jbeaben; but i)e t^at boetf) tfie toill of mp 
 jfattjet toljici) isJ in ijeaben. 
 
 Matthew VII; 21. 
 
n 
 
 man a little. And they said, Verily 
 it profiteth not that we should toil 
 to the making of many or large 
 vessels, for if we ask much we shall 
 come away empty. And they 
 wrought each man to himself one 
 very little vessel, and journeyed to 
 the rich man's house. 
 
 And the rich man filled to every 
 man his little vessel full to over- 
 flowing. And when they beheld that 
 there still remained great abun- 
 dance they said unto him, Give us 
 more, we pray thee. But he an- 
 swered and said. Not so; for ye have 
 not wherewithal to carry away. And 
 they returned every man to his own 
 place and their hearts were sore 
 
12 
 
 Jfot iii{)0£(oeber fjatf), to i}tm £(IiaU be 
 giben, anb i}t fiifjaU babe more abunbance. 
 
 Matthew XIII; 12. 
 
13 
 
 within them; and they reviled him 
 that he had promised much and 
 bestowed Httle. 
 
 Yet I say unto you that the bounty 
 of God is without measure, and that 
 he gives freely and without cost to 
 every man that which he is able to 
 receive. And to him that hath shall 
 be given. 
 
14 
 
 ^oto tt)t btrti) ot 3ltini €i)viit toasi on 
 ti)i£( tQtsie . . . SFosiepi) toent up from 
 ^a\i\tt, into tbe titp of Babtb totjict) ii tallth 
 ^et\)\ti)tm, toiti) iflarp, f)ig toife. 
 
 ilnb jsfo it toag tljat tof)ile tfjcp tocre tfjere, 
 sii)e brought fortt) i)ct ftrs^t tiorn £(on, anli 
 laib Ijint in a manser bccausie tfjcre toasi no 
 room in tfje inn, 
 
 Matthew I; 18: Luke II; 4-7, 
 
15 
 
 ON CHRISTMAS EVE 
 
 The centuries have rolled away 
 
 Since Gahlee 
 Rang with the angel song that hailed 
 
 The Christ to be: 
 
 And I beside my dying fire, 
 This Christmas Eve, 
 
 Ponder that wondrous tale which love 
 And faith believe. 
 
 And as I muse, the long years fade 
 Like shadows fled; 
 
 I seem again a little child 
 In fancy led 
 
16 
 
 ^riti t^tvt \Dttt gfjeptjerbsi abibtng in tt)e 
 fielb, liceptng toatcl) ober ti)cix flocked bp 
 msl)t. 3nb tbe angel ot tbe Ilorb came 
 upon tbem, anb iaiit, jFear not: for, bcbolb, 
 31 bring pou goob tibingsi of great jop, tobicb 
 s^i)all be to all people. Jfor unto pou in 
 born tbisi bap a ^abiour, tobitb i^ €1()tiiit 
 tlje llorb. 
 
17 
 
 To far off Bethlehem which sleeps 
 'Neath Syrian skies, 
 
 Where cradled in his manger low 
 The Christ-child lies. 
 
 I see the shepherds on the hill 
 
 Above the town, 
 To whom the angel of the Lord 
 
 In love came down; 
 
 Bearing through widely opened skies, 
 That flamed like morn, 
 
 The message, "Joy to all I bring; 
 The Christ is born!" 
 
 I see the Wise Men of the East 
 
 Come from afar. 
 Seeking the new born King of Men, 
 
 Led by his star; 
 
18 
 
 ^oto toben 3ftini toas! born in Jgetblc- 
 fjem, tfjerc came toisie men from tfje easft to 
 toorgfjip tim. ^nli, lo, i)ii itat, tofiici) tljcp 
 i)ab sieen in tfje eas^t, toent before t^em till 
 it came anb sttoob ober bibere tbe cbilb bias, 
 ^nb tbej> fiabj tbe poung cbilb toitb iWarp, 
 bis( motber, anb fell boton, anb toorfibippeb 
 
 bim. 
 
 Matthew II; 1-11. 
 
19 
 
 I see them lay their costly gifts, 
 
 Of spices rare 
 And fragrant myrrh, low at his feet, 
 
 And worship there. 
 
 I see the Virgin Mother, pure. 
 
 Bend from above 
 To kiss his brow, her eyes alight 
 
 With wondering love. 
 
 While over all the silent stars 
 In peace look down; 
 
 And angels keep safe watch and ward 
 O'er David's town. 
 
 Ages have passed away, and faith 
 Sometimes grows cold; 
 
20 
 
 Jfor ottetr Countiation can no man lap 
 ti^an tbat is laiti, totitcb is: 3^e6U£( €hnit 
 
 I Corinthians III; 11. 
 
21 
 
 Men say it is a fairy tale, 
 That story old ; — 
 
 I know not ! But upon our hearts 
 
 Its peace yet lies; 
 And still we read its words of hope 
 
 With tear dimmed eyes. 
 
 For faith to live we yet must lean 
 
 On Good above; 
 And love still finds its highest type 
 
 In Christ's pure love. 
 
22 
 
 3nti 3tini siaitf) unto ttiem, ^abe faitf) 
 in ^ob. jfor bcrilp 3 gap unto pou, tE^ljat 
 b)f)Osfoeber s(i)aU £!ap unto tt)i& mountain, $e 
 tfjou rcmobcli anb cast into tfje siea; anb gfjall 
 not boubt in f)i£f })eart, but £(})all beliebe tbat 
 ti)0£(e tbingsi tobicb \)t fi^aitb s^ball come to 
 pasig; 1)0 siiiall babe tobatsioeber be £(aitb. 
 
 Mflr;^ X/; 22-5. 
 
23 
 
 HAVE FAITH IN GOD 
 
 Have faith in God: so spake a still 
 
 small voice. 
 When pain doth most assail thee, 
 
 then rejoice. 
 For still his love surrounds thee, and 
 
 his hand 
 Doth guide : Be still and understand. 
 
 Have faith in God: when fears op- 
 press thee sore. 
 
 Fear not; but only trust in him the 
 more. 
 
 For still are stretched beneath thee 
 and above, 
 
 The everlasting arms of Love. 
 
24 
 
 5^e ijatf) sljctocb tJjce, man, fcoljat ii 
 pob: anb to})at botl) ttje itorb tequtre of tfjee, 
 but to bo iuitlp, anb to lobe mtvtp, attb to 
 taialii f)umblp toitf) t{)p ^ob. 
 
_25 
 
 Have faith in God: when dark the 
 shadows fall, 
 
 Thou needst to know that he is All 
 in All; 
 
 And to his children doth this prom- 
 ise give 
 
 In love, ** Ye shall not die, but live!" 
 
 Have faith in God : I heard the mes- 
 sage sweet, 
 
 And where he leads I walk with wil- 
 ling feet; 
 
 Content and glad to keep his least 
 command, 
 
 For now through faith I understand. 
 
26 
 
 tE^fltfii ii t\)p lot, tiie portion of tfjp 
 meafi(ures( from me, ssaitb tf)e Horb; httanit 
 ttou i)a£^t forgotten me, anb tru£(teb in fal£(e- 
 boob. 
 
 Jeremiah XIII; 25. 
 
27 
 
 THE PARABLE OF THE 
 KING'S SON 
 
 There was a certain child which 
 was born to great riches and power 
 and dominion: For he was the son of 
 a great King and heir to all his 
 possessions. 
 
 And it came to pass that evil men, 
 which had rebelled against the great 
 King and loved him not, enticed the 
 child from his father's house, and, 
 having led him beyond the borders of 
 his kingdom, delivered him into the 
 keeping of poor and sinful men that 
 he might become even as these. And 
 
28 
 
 tE^ittse people's; fteart in toaxeb ^otn, anb 
 tfietr ears! are tiuU of beating, anb tfytiv tptn 
 tdep f)a\}t tloaeh; Itnt at anp time ttep s(I)ouIb 
 «ee tnitl) tijeir epesi, anli Jiear toitfj tJjeir earsf, 
 anb unber£(tanb toitf) tbeit teart, anb gi)oulb 
 turn again, anb 3 £(f)oulb teal tijem. 
 
 Matthew XIII; 15. 
 
29 
 
 the child was enslaved by cruel task- 
 masters, and suffered hunger and 
 cold and weariness, and was beaten 
 with many stripes. 
 
 And the child grew in years and 
 came to manhood. And because of 
 his great misery his heart became 
 hard within him, and was filled with 
 fear and hate and all evil desires; 
 so that he was even as those who 
 were of his company. For he knew 
 not of his birthright, nor of the 
 peace and plenty of his father's 
 kingdom to which he was heir; but 
 because of his ignorance he believed 
 that all men were born to evil and 
 misery. And he could not be per- 
 suaded that it was not so, though 
 
30 
 
 toe ate tte cbilbren of #ob: anb ii t\)iUixtn, 
 ti)en f)titi; fiettsf of <^ob, anb joint i)eiti 
 \aiti) Cfjrtsit. 
 
 Romans Fill; 16, 17. 
 
31 
 
 many messengers from his father's 
 kingdom came unto him and declared 
 the truth. 
 
 But I say unto you that this one 
 was always heir to his father's king- 
 dom, and that peace and plenty and 
 righteousness always waited for him 
 therein, although he knew it not. 
 And many there be which are like 
 unto him. 
 
32 
 
 3nti fit knttUh boton, ant) jpra|>eli, sfap- 
 ing, ifatfjer, if ti)ou be kDiUing, remobe tbid 
 tup from me: nebertbelesese not mp totU» but 
 tbine, be bone. 
 
33 
 
 THY WILL: NOT MINE 
 
 Dear God, long have I trusted erring 
 sense 
 
 To search out good, but only found 
 despair; 
 
 Now would I lean on thy omnipo- 
 tence. 
 
 And shape my life into one ceaseless 
 prayer : — 
 That I may do thy will ! 
 
 Vain is man's wisdom, and a rope of 
 
 sand 
 His unhelped strength, and so I 
 
 stumbled then; — 
 
34 
 
 9 totll aris(e anb go to mp fatijer, and 
 toill s(ap unto tint, Jfatf)er, S Ijabe sftnneti 
 againsit fjeaben, anli before tijee, anb am no 
 more toortljp to be caUeb tfjp s^on. 
 
 Luke XV; 18, 19. 
 
35 
 
 But now, at last, I dimly understand 
 Thy ways are higher than the ways 
 of men : — 
 So would I do thy will ! 
 
 I too have sojourned in a far off 
 
 place 
 And fed on empty husks, until I 
 
 yearned 
 To see again my Father's house and 
 
 face, — 
 So am I come, a prodigal returned : — 
 Seeking to do thy will! 
 
 Make strong my faith to turn from 
 
 things that seem. 
 Unto the better things which do 
 
 appear 
 
36 
 
 !9nb tofjen tfie Comforter in come tofjom 
 9 toiU itnii unto |>ou from tbe Jfatber, eben 
 tf)e Spirit of truti), toijicl) proceebeti) from 
 tije Jfatber; be s^baU bear toitnes^s^ of me. 
 
 John XV; 26, {Rev. Fer.) 
 
37 
 
 When we awaken from this fleshly- 
 dream, 
 And to the still small voice of Truth 
 give ear: — 
 Striving to do thy will! 
 
 Teach me to know that the dear 
 Christ who wrought 
 
 Among the hills of far off Galilee, 
 
 Still gives to all the help that 
 faileth not, 
 
 And worketh now thy healing work 
 in me: — 
 Doing thy perfect will! 
 
38 
 
 !anb Ije leb tljem forrt) bp tiie rigfjt toap, 
 ttat ttiep misljt 50 to a titp o( habitation. 
 
 Psalms CVII; 7. 
 
 3 babe taugbt tbee in tbe toap of biisibom, 
 3 babe leb tbee in tigbt patbfif. 
 
 Proverbs IV; 11, 
 
39 
 
 WE SHALL BE LED 
 
 We shall be led by ways we do not 
 know 
 
 Unto the Promised Land which faith 
 hath seen, — 
 
 That smiling land where milk and 
 honey flow, 
 
 And where still waters are and pas- 
 tures green: 
 
 Our fleshly sense would choose amiss, 
 and so 
 
 God leadeth us by ways which he 
 doth know. 
 
 We shall be led in paths we would 
 not choose; 
 
40 
 
 !Snb b)^en fje toasi bemanbeb of ti^t $i)at- 
 isfeesi, koljen tfje fetngbom of 4loli s())ouIb 
 tome, })e ansctoeteb ttem anb mib, Vl^f)t 
 feingbom of ^ob cometi) not toit}) obsierbatton: 
 ^eitijer sffjaH rtjep «ap, 3to fjerel or, lo 
 tijere; for, iiefiolb, tlje fiingbom of #ob ii 
 koittin poQ. 
 
 Zi^y^^ XF//; 20, 21. 
 
41 
 
 And pillared cloud and fire by day 
 
 and night 
 Shall go before us (lest the way we 
 
 lose) 
 Until that Peaceful Land dawns on 
 
 our sight: 
 Though erring human sense would 
 
 fain refuse, 
 God leadeth us in paths which he 
 
 doth choose. 
 
 We shall be led, — what matter how 
 
 or where ? 
 That Heavenly Kingdom unto which 
 
 we yearn 
 We shall not find far off, and say, 
 
 "Lo there!" 
 
42 
 
 Jfor an manp an are leli bp tiie Spirit 
 of &ot, tfiep are tfje sitmi of <2loIi. 
 
43 
 
 It builds within us when to God we 
 
 turn: 
 If we but lean on him and trust his 
 
 care, 
 Our opened eyes shall see Heaven 
 
 everywhere. 
 
44 
 
 tE^lb^p kno\n noU nettfjer txtill tt)tp untier- 
 sitantt; ttep Uialk tn tiarbnes^s: all tlje founlia- 
 tioni of tte eartf) are out of coursie. 
 
 Psalms LXXXII; 5. 
 
45 
 
 THE PARABLE OF THE 
 DARKENED HOUSE 
 
 There was a certain man which 
 had dwelt from his birth in a house 
 which his forefathers had builded. 
 And, forasmuch as these had not 
 loved the Hght of day because it 
 made plain their shortcomings, this 
 house was cunningly contrived so 
 that the light might not enter there- 
 in, but it was illumined only by 
 candles whose feeble light these men 
 had greatly admired. 
 
 And it was so that this man, for- 
 asmuch as he had lived always in 
 
46 
 
 t!r})e fool toalfeeti) in barikne£i£(: all f)ii 
 bap£i alsio iit eatetb in barknes^ci; anb fae 
 ii&tf) mucfi sfortob) anb toratf): f\t bepartetl) 
 in barbnefii£(, anb i)i£i name siijall be cobereb 
 \ai\tl) baclinesiii. 
 
 Ecclesiastes II; 14: V; 17: VI; 4. 
 
47 
 
 that darkened house and had never 
 gone forth therefrom, knew not that 
 there was any greater or better 
 light than that which shone forth 
 from his dim candies. So was he 
 altogether contented with the dim 
 light and shadows of his darkened 
 house, and sought not for the perfect 
 light by which wiser men walked. 
 
 And it came to pass when the man 
 was old, so that his eyes were dim 
 and he stumbled and walked astray 
 in the deceptive light of his dark- 
 ened house, that there came unto 
 him one which had compassion on 
 his unhappiness. And this one said 
 unto him. Open, I pray thee, the 
 shuttered windows and cunningly 
 
48 
 
 tS^akt f}tth therefore t^at ii)e ltgi)t tDijtdj) 
 is! in tifee ht not hatkntsi, 
 
 Luke XI; 35. 
 
49 
 
 contrived doors of this thy house 
 that the Hght of day may enter 
 therein and thou mayst see clearly. 
 
 But he scorned this good counsel 
 and would not be persuaded; for he 
 said, Verily I will not open, for there 
 is no light that is better or greater 
 than the light of these my candles 
 by which I have always walked, and 
 outside of this my house there is 
 only darkness. 
 
 And I say unto you that there be 
 many men which live in darkened 
 houses of consciousness and which 
 because of pride and ignorance are 
 satisfied with darkness rather than 
 light. 
 
50 
 
 ^nb \jaf)oiot\ier sifiaU gitie to trink unto 
 one of ttjesfe little one£( a cup of colb toater 
 onlp, berilp 3 £(ap unto pou, be ssfiall in no 
 toisie lofiie f)isi retoatli. 
 
 Matthew X; 42. 
 
51 
 
 IT WAS ONLY . . . 
 
 It was only a sunny smile 
 And little it cost in the giving, 
 But it scattered the night 
 Like morning light 
 And made the day worth living. 
 Through life's dull warp a web it 
 
 wove 
 In shining colors of hope and love; 
 And the angels smiled as they 
 watched above: 
 Yet little it cost in the giving. 
 
 It was only a kindly word, 
 A word that was lightly spoken; 
 
52 
 
 3lt ii not tfje totU ot pour Jfatijec totjicf) 
 ii in })eaben, tfiat one of tt)tit little oneis 
 fliioulb pttisif). 
 
 Matthew XFIII; 14. 
 
S3 
 
 Yet not in vain, 
 For it stilled the pain 
 Of a heart that was nearly broken: 
 It strengthened a faith beset by 
 
 fears, 
 And groping blindly through mists 
 
 of tears 
 For light to brighten the coming 
 years; 
 Although it was lightly spoken. 
 
 It was only a helping hand, 
 And it seemed of little availing; 
 But its clasp was warm, 
 And it saved from harm 
 A brother whose strength was failing. 
 Its touch was tender as angel 
 wings, 
 
54 
 
 JSitisitti are tte menitui: for ^tp sitall 
 obtain mercp. 
 
 Matthew V; 7. 
 
55 
 
 But it rolled the stone from the 
 
 hidden springs, 
 And pointed the way to higher 
 
 things : 
 Though it seemed of little availing. 
 
 A smile, a word, a friendly hand ; 
 How easily each is given ! 
 Yet it may win 
 A soul from sin, 
 Or smooth the way to heaven. 
 A smile may cheer the failing heart ; 
 A word may soften pain's keenest 
 
 smart; 
 A touch may lead us from sin 
 apart : 
 And each is so easily given. 
 
56 
 
 <^r bapg on ti)e earti) are an a sifiabotD, 
 anb ttete is: none abibing. 
 
 Chronicles XXIX; 15. 
 
 3 mus(t tootfe tf)e toorlks: of i)im tijat s^ent 
 me, to))iIe it \si bap: tte nigtt cometf) taiien 
 no man can tootb. 
 
 John IX; 4. 
 
57 
 
 THE LONG DAY'S CLOSE 
 
 **The long day draweth to a close/' 
 
 Yet ere its end 
 We still have time to pluck a rose 
 
 To give a friend. 
 
 There yet is time, ere drops the sun 
 
 Below the west, 
 To speak a cheering word to one 
 
 By fear opprest ; — 
 
 Time still for many a little deed 
 
 Of kindliness, 
 To help our brothers in their need; 
 
 Or soothe and bless. 
 
58 
 
 l^e tfiat taDill act gooti baps(» let i)im 
 
 e{(cl)ett) ebtl, anb tio gooti: . . ifor sio i£ 
 
 tbe tt)tU of (@o2i» tbat faaitb toell botng pe map 
 
 put to sttleme t^e ignorance of ioolisifi men. 
 
 / P^f^r ///; 10, 11: II; 15. 
 
59 
 
 'T will seem perhaps we cannot spare 
 From our own woe 
 
 Time to relieve another's care: 
 Believe not so! 
 
 We who have suffered should be 
 To rise above [strong 
 
 Our pain and grief; to sing a song, 
 To work, to love ; — 
 
 That whoso falters on Life's road 
 May see and hear. 
 
 And bear his seeming heavy load 
 With freshened cheer. 
 
 • ••••••••• • • 
 
 So may our day draw to its close; 
 
 Life's sunset gun 
 Calling us to well earned repose. 
 
 And God's "Well done!" 
 
60 
 
 USear pe one anottiec'si burtiensi anb sfo 
 fulfil tte laU) of Cfirtsit. 
 
 Galatians VI; 2. 
 
61 
 
 THE LAW OF SERVICE 
 
 "The fields are white for harvest 
 But the laborers are few," 
 So spake our Lord in GaHlee, 
 And still the words are true ; — 
 About you in Life's waiting fields 
 There's work for you to do. 
 
 The world still groans in bondage, 
 Its ransom must be bought 
 With untold wealth of loving deeds 
 Inspired by loving thought; — 
 And that which you can do to help 
 Is waiting to be wrought. 
 
 Your own load may seem heavy 
 And more than you can bear. 
 
62 
 
 shaping, ?Lorti, toijen siato taoe tf)ee an l^un- 
 greb, anb fell t^ee, or ti)\Titp, anb gabe t})ee 
 btinb? iSnb tf)e lltng £(1)^11 ansftner anb 
 s;ap unto ttem, 3inasimu(|) asi pe })abe bone tt 
 unto one ot tfje leai^t of tijesie mp btetijren, 
 pe })abe bone it unto me. 
 
 Matthew XXF; 37, 40. 
 
63 
 
 So that for others' burdens 
 You have no strength to spare; — 
 But your own load will lighter grow 
 When you another's share. 
 
 The good we do to others 
 Our own good best assures, 
 The cup of water given in love 
 A sure reward secures; — 
 Carry your brother's burdens, 
 And God will carry yours! 
 
64 
 
 ^\)iii in ti)e itont ioWh toaii iet at 
 ttaugi)t ot pou builbersi, tobicb i^ become tfie 
 fjeab of ti)e corner. 
 
 Jets IF; 11. 
 
65 
 
 THE PARABLE OF THE 
 REJECTED STONE 
 
 There was a certain large stone 
 which lay in a field. And the out- 
 ward appearance thereof was rough 
 and shapeless, and altogether un- 
 lovely, and defiled with the dust of 
 the earth. 
 
 And many passed that way and 
 looked upon the stone. And it was 
 to them an offense and a block of 
 stumbling; and they marvelled 
 greatly that the owner of the field 
 suffered it to cumber the ground, 
 and commanded not his laborers that 
 
66 
 
 M a man nay, S lobe <@oli, anb ijatetii 
 f)t£( ticotijer, be i{( a Itar: tor l)t tfjat lobetf) 
 not f)i£( brotijer totiom {je fjati) £(een, boto can 
 lie lobe 4loli totom ()e tjattj not sseen? 
 
67 
 
 they should break it in pieces and 
 destroy it utterly, that he might 
 grow good fruit in the place thereof. 
 And they cursed it, and spat upon 
 it, and defiled it the more, and went 
 their way. 
 
 And at last there came also a 
 certain man which was a workman in 
 the service of the King and had 
 gained much understanding. And 
 when this one looked upon the stone 
 he saw not as the many, but rather 
 he saw that which was altogether 
 perfect and lovely. And his heart 
 yearned that all men should see 
 even as he had seen. 
 
 And he stooped down and removed 
 the earth and the stains which de- 
 
68 
 
 ^e tiiat iiatetf) \)ii brotijer tsi in bark- 
 tie£is!» anb toalbett) in hatknt^i, anb knotoetl) 
 not tD^itiier i^t goetf), becausie tf^at barknesist 
 ibatl) blinbeb f)iii t^t^, 
 
 I John II; 11. 
 
69 
 
 filed it, and he took hammer and 
 chisel and wrought with dihgence 
 and understanding to cut away all 
 that belonged not to the perfect 
 reality which it had been given him 
 to see. And when he had made it 
 manifest to the sight of all men, 
 the many came again and beheld, 
 and were greatly astonished. 
 
 And they said unto him. Thou 
 hast indeed created a beautiful and 
 perfect thing. And he answered and 
 said unto them. Not so; for I added 
 no least jot or tittle to that which ye 
 despised and reviled because ye saw 
 not the reality thereof; and I took 
 away but that which hid it from your 
 sight. And they knew in their 
 
70 
 
 tEijijs in mp ccmmanbment, tfjat j»e lobe 
 one anotiier, as; ^ i)a\it lobeb pou. 
 
 John XF; 12. 
 
71 
 
 hearts that it was even as he had 
 said. 
 
 And I say unto you that the 
 stone which was rejected and de- 
 spised of many is like unto thy 
 brother, which thou condemneth 
 because of the evil seeming that 
 hideth him from thy sight and which 
 yet is no part of him. 
 
72 
 
 Si)Ou fi\}a\t makt ti^p praper unto titn, 
 anb i)e sttall t^ar tf)ee. 
 
 /o^> XZ7/; 27. 
 
73 
 
 PRAYER AND ANSWERS 
 
 I prayed for light through dark and 
 
 barren years 
 And found it not; yet knew that 
 
 Hght must be, — 
 Else Christ had vainly wrought in 
 
 Galilee 
 To save a world from all its pains 
 
 and fears, — 
 And so prayed on. "It must be 
 
 that God hears," 
 I said, and strained my weary eyes 
 
 to see 
 
 1 Written A. D. , 1912. See also A Prayer, Page 5; 
 and Realization, Page 109. 
 
74 
 
 ^t asife anb pt reteibe not, bccausie pe 
 a£(& amiii, tfiat pe map consfume it upon 
 pour lU£(t£(* 
 
 James IF; 3. 
 
75 
 
 His hand roll back the clouds that 
 compassed me. . 
 
 At last, a still voice sounded in my 
 ears: 
 
 "He prays amiss who pleads for un- 
 earned good, 
 
 And none may see the Light Supernal 
 shine 
 
 Save as his life reflects the Life 
 Divine. 
 
 Through good alone is Goodness un- 
 derstood. 
 
 Follow the Christ who showed the 
 only way; 
 
 So shall thine eyes behold Love's 
 Perfect Day." 
 
1(> 
 
 IBe^oIb S ^atie %ti before tfjee an open 
 liooi: anb no man can %\^vX \i. 
 
 Revelations III; 8. 
 
n 
 
 THE OPEN DOOR 
 
 Like one who wanders in fell dark- 
 ness vast, 
 
 I trod the paths of pain and all un- 
 rest 
 
 For weary, weary years, and came 
 at last 
 
 To dream that death of all things 
 was the best: 
 
 When, lo! I came unto an open door 
 Piercing the walls that shut my 
 
 vision in, — 
 Which, surely, I had never seen 
 
 before 
 
78 
 
 i^oto ii come sialbatton, anb sitrenstf), 
 anb tije feingbom of our <@ob, anb t{)e potoer 
 ot })is( Cbtisit. 
 
 Revelations XII; 10. 
 
79 
 
 Because my eyes were dimmed by 
 fear and sin; — 
 
 And through that door Love led my 
 
 stumbUng feet 
 To where the dawn still broadens 
 
 into day, 
 And life becomes more sure and glad 
 
 and sweet 
 Each passing hour, for Love still 
 
 leads the way. 
 
 Christ opened wide that door for all 
 
 who lie 
 Thralled in the prison-house of sin 
 
 and pain; 
 But in their blindness men had 
 
 passed it by. 
 
80 
 
 ^t ti)at obercometi) sff^all tnberit all 
 fiiinqi; anb 3 toiU tie l)\6 ^oib, anb ^t siijall 
 be mp sion. 
 
 Revelations XXI; 7. 
 
81 
 
 Or seeking not aright had sought in 
 vain, — 
 
 Had not one selfless seeker for the 
 
 Mind 
 Which was in Jesus lifted up anew 
 The lamp of Truth whereby all men 
 
 may find 
 That door to peace, and finding it 
 
 pass through. 
 
 Glory to God who set that door for 
 
 all! 
 Homage to Christ who opened it for 
 
 aye! 
 And love to her who heard the 
 
 Master's call 
 To do his work and show anew the 
 
 Way! 
 
82 
 
 €ntet pt in at ti)t sitcait gate; becau£ie 
 sittsiit in t})e gate, anli nacrotii ii t\}t taiap, 
 toWb leatieti) unto life. 
 
 Matthew VII; 13-14. 
 
83 
 
 THE PARABLE OF THE 
 MAN WHICH JOURNEYED 
 
 A certain man set out to journey 
 to a far city wherein he desired 
 greatly to abide : and the way thereto 
 lay over high mountains where the 
 path was strait and narrow. 
 
 And for a time he walked with 
 exceeding care and diligence; look- 
 ing neither to the right hand nor 
 the left hand, but always straight 
 before him, lest he should stumble 
 and fall. And his feet slipped not, 
 though the way was rough and steep 
 and danger lay on either hand. And 
 
84 
 
 anb tf)P teet cibaU not s^tumble. 
 
 Proverbs III; 23. 
 
85 
 
 each day brought him nearer to the 
 city of his heart's desire. 
 
 And when he had journeyed pros- 
 perously for many days, it came to 
 pass that for a moment he forebore 
 to walk with care, and turned his 
 eyes from that which lay before him. 
 And straightway his feet stumbled 
 from the narrow path, and he fell 
 headlong down a steep declivity, and 
 was sore bruised and wounded. 
 
 And I say unto you that whoso 
 journeyeth the Way of Life that 
 leads to the City of Peace must 
 needs walk straitly; turning neither 
 to the right hand nor the left hand, 
 lest he stumble and fall : for the way 
 thereto is also strait and narrow. 
 
86 
 
 ^t sibetl) f)ii belobeti sileep. 
 
 Psalms CXXVII; 2. 
 
87 
 
 HE GIVETH SLEEP 
 
 "He giveth his beloved sleep." 
 From the day's toil, and all its 
 
 tangled skein 
 Of seeming loss and grief and fear 
 
 and pain, 
 Who trust him do not seek surcease 
 in vain. 
 He dries the tears of all who weep, 
 And gives to his beloved sleep. 
 
 " He giveth his beloved sleep." 
 When we have labored all the long 
 
 day through 
 He gives us rest and does our 
 
 strength renew, — 
 
88 
 
 3 \DiU botf) Ia|> me boton in peace anb 
 ilttp: for tf)m, ILoth, onip makecet me btoell 
 in siafetp. 
 
 Psalms IF; 8. 
 
89 
 
 Then wakens us a new day's task to 
 do. 
 Each morn we rise to sow and reap ; 
 Each eventide he gives us sleep. 
 
 "He giveth his beloved sleep." 
 Because our faith is weak, our cour- 
 age small, 
 He so doth ease our burdens, lest we 
 
 fall 
 Toil spent, and fail to reach the goal 
 at all. 
 All day we climb life's pathway 
 
 steep. 
 But when night comes he gives us 
 sleep. 
 
 "He giveth his beloved sleep." 
 Oft-times we falter and are fain to 
 stray; 
 
90 
 
 i^one sffjaH be toearp nor stumble among 
 tijem; none jifjall jslumber or jflecp. 
 
 Isaiah V; 25. 
 
91 
 
 But still he keeps our feet in the 
 
 right way 
 And leads us safely home at close of 
 day: 
 Then, as a shepherd folds his sheep, 
 He folds us safe and gives us sleep. 
 
 *'He giveth his beloved sleep." 
 His tender love, that spares the 
 
 bruised reed, 
 Grants such dear boon to our poor 
 
 human need, — 
 Till we have grown to Truth and 
 Life indeed; 
 And, having learned his laws to 
 
 keep, 
 Awake in him no more to sleep. 
 
92 
 
 tKijijf a life eternal tfjat tfjep migljt 
 iinotD tiiee t^e onlp ttue (@ob, anb ^ft^uti 
 €f)viit, b)i)om tf)ou t)afi!t stent. 
 
 John XVII; 3. 
 
93 
 
 LIFE ETERNAL 
 
 Mortality is but a transient seeming 
 Which some day shall be swallowed 
 up in life, — 
 When we awake from dreaming 
 Of matter, pain, and strife ; 
 And grow into sure consciousness 
 That Being in its perfectness 
 Is knowledge of the Principle of 
 Love 
 In which we live and move. 
 
 There is no death, for all that seems 
 
 to perish 
 Has never lived, and is not known 
 
 of God. 
 
94 
 
 M tf)e Spirit o! i)\m tfiat ratsieb up Sftsini 
 from tt)e beab btatieU in pou, lie tfiat ratsieb 
 up Ci)tifiit fe£(U£( from tbe beab ^tjaH gibe 
 life alsio to pour mortal bobies^ tijrougf) i^ii 
 Spirit ti)at btoelleti) in pou. 
 
 Romans Fill; 2, {Rev. Ver.) 
 
95 
 
 This seeming life we cherish 
 Is kindred to the clod, 
 And must return to dust from which 
 
 it sprang: 
 But ere the morning stars together 
 
 sang 
 Man was — and must for evermore 
 exist; 
 Else God were unexpressed. 
 
 God is our Life, and so we cannot be 
 The thralls of Death, and subject to 
 
 Decay: 
 Only our sense of death can pass 
 
 away, 
 Our life abides in God through all 
 
 eternity. 
 Mortality awhile may hide the light ; 
 
96 
 
 iSelobeb, noto are toe t^t iona of <{lob, 
 anb it botf) not |>et appear totat toe s;f)aU be: 
 but toe fenoto tijat toe ti\)a\\ be Ube bini, for 
 toe siball s(ee !)im a£i b^ tsi. 
 
 7 /oAn ///; 2. 
 
97 
 
 Or erring sense the perfect vision 
 dim; 
 
 But we were fashioned by the In- 
 finite, 
 
 And some day we shall know, and be 
 like him. 
 
98 
 
 lieatf)^ toljere ii ttp siting? grabe, 
 totiere ii thp btctorp? 
 
 / Corinthians XV; 55. 
 
 Jfor tfje lato of tfje Spirit of life in 
 Cftrifit Sfegusf Jjatfj malie mc free from ttje 
 lata of gin anb lieatf). 
 
 Romans VIII; 2. 
 
99 
 
 THERE IS NO DEATH 
 
 Even as a little child, with simple 
 
 prayer, 
 Lies down to sleep, content, when 
 
 daylight dies; 
 Knowing the dawn will greet his 
 
 waking eyes. 
 And a new day new joys for him pre- 
 pare : — 
 So may we, trustful of our Father's 
 
 care. 
 Lie down, serene, knowing we shall 
 
 arise 
 To greet a fairer dawn with brighter 
 
 skies. 
 
100 
 
 V^fitn s^baH be btouslbt to pan t^t s(ap- 
 ins tl)at is( toritten, Beatb t0 sttoallotoeli op 
 in bictorp. 
 
 / Corinthians XV; 54. 
 
101 
 
 And keep our way up Life*s eternal 
 
 stair. 
 We need not fear to follow where 
 
 Christ led, 
 Or to commit our ways unto God's 
 
 will; 
 Surely his hand will guide and guard 
 
 us still, 
 And, there as here, his love supply 
 
 our needs. 
 God is our Life, and he will not 
 
 withdraw 
 The life he gave, nor change his 
 
 changeless law. 
 
102 
 
 ^nb <@ob sfaib, ILtt ua ma'kt man in our 
 image, after our Ufecncgfi: anb let J}im i)abc 
 bominion. ^o <^ob createb man in f)ii obin 
 image. 
 
 Genesis I; 26, 27. 
 
 TLti yxsi tijerefore casit off all tfje toorfesf 
 of barkne£(g, anb let usi put on tlje armour 
 
 of ligi)t. 
 
 Romans XIII; 12. 
 
103 
 
 THE PARABLE OF 
 THE LAKE WHICH MIRRORED 
 HEAVEN 
 
 There was a certain beautiful lake 
 which lay far from the cities of men, 
 in the still forest solitudes. And 
 the soft summer air above it rippled 
 not its shining surface which was 
 like unto a mirror, reflecting per- 
 fectly the blue vault of heaven and 
 all the fleecy clouds that floated 
 there. 
 
 But it came to pass that an icy 
 wind stole through the forest from 
 the far fens and marshes which lay 
 
104 
 
 ^alke unto pou ti^t toljole armour of 
 ^ob, ti)at 2>e map tie able to tDtt^fiitanb in 
 tf)t ebtl bap, anb flatting bone ail, to sitanb. 
 
 Ephesians VI; 13. 
 
105 
 
 beyond; and blew upon the lake so 
 that its surface became troubled 
 and lashed into waves. And im- 
 mediately the similitude of the blue 
 sky and fleecy clouds which had ap- 
 peared in its still depths was shat- 
 tered into countless fragments so 
 distorted from reality that none 
 could believe them the reflection of 
 the summer heavens: but would 
 have judged them rather to be the 
 flying shadows of weird and terrible 
 creatures of evil. 
 
 And like unto this lake is man; 
 which, when he looks steadfastly 
 above, and is not troubled by evil 
 thoughts or desires, reflects only that 
 which is good and perfect : but when 
 
106 
 
 ^tanb tfjerefore, fjabing pour loini girt 
 about toitl) truti), anb tjabtng on tbe breast- 
 plate ot rig!)teou£(nes(s!; . . iHbobe all, 
 taking tije sJfjielb of faitlj, toijeretoitJ) pe gfjall 
 be able to quencf) all tfje fierp bartsJ ot tbe 
 toicfeeb. 
 
 Ephesians VI; 14, 16. 
 
107 
 
 the winds of error blow upon him, 
 and he is troubled thereby, reflects 
 only distorted and writhing shapes 
 of evil seeming. 
 
 So doth it concern us greatly that 
 we should guard ourselves with ex- 
 ceeding care against all the winds of 
 error; that we may reflect only the 
 perfect will and attributes of our 
 Father which is in Heaven. 
 
108 
 
 in praper, belicbing, pe sifjall receive. 
 
 Matthew XXI; 22. 
 
109 
 
 REALIZATION » 
 
 Dear God, the light is come, our 
 outworn creeds 
 
 Drop from us as a garment, and our 
 sight 
 
 Grows clear to see ourselves and 
 thee aright; 
 
 We trust thy love to meet our ut- 
 most needs. 
 
 And know thy hand sustains us. 
 The foul breeds 
 
 Of nameless doubts and fears that 
 thronged the night, 
 
 1 Written A. D., 1916. See also A Prayer, Page 
 5; and Prayer and Answer, Page 73. 
 
110 
 
 <^ ti)ou ti)at fftattsit pva^tt, unto tiiee 
 sif)aU all ataf) tome. 
 
111 
 
 Like phantoms disappear in Truth's 
 
 clear light; 
 Self only, now our upward way 
 
 impedes : 
 For thou hast given new bottles for 
 
 Truth's wine; — 
 Hast given a larger faith to help us 
 
 live 
 A larger life; new knowledge that 
 
 will give 
 A lamp to lead us on to the divine: 
 And though our feet may falter in 
 
 the way, 
 Yet shall our eyes behold Love's 
 
 Perfect Day. 
 
I hold it truth with him who sings 
 To one clear harp in divers tones, 
 That men may rise on stepping stones 
 Of their dead selves to higher things. 
 Lord Tennyson. 
 
AFTERWORD 
 
 So have I written. Now I lay 
 
 My fen aside, and ** Finished" say! 
 
 For me, I count this work all gain; 
 Born of a faith men said was vain. 
 It helped me vanquish fear of pain: 
 Now I am moved to send it forth. 
 With hope that others may find worth 
 In it. I know it cannot he 
 To them what it has been to me; 
 Yet it may shed one little ray 
 Of light upon some traveler's way. 
 
 Enough, if it contains one word 
 In which the voice of Truth is heard 
 By one, enveloped yet by night. 
 Who yearns to glimpse the morning 
 light!