fruit; Some for shelter against the storm, And some to keep the hearth-stone warm; Some for the roof, and some for the beam, And some for a boat to breast the stream;— In the wealth of the wood since the world began The trees have offered their gifts to man.
But the glory of trees is more than their gifts: ’Tis a beautiful wonder of life that lifts, From a wrinkled seed in an earth-bound clod, A column, an arch in the temple of God, A pillar of power, a dome of delight, A shrine of song, and a joy of sight! Their roots are the nurses of rivers in birth; Their leaves are alive with the breath of the earth; They shelter the dwellings of man; and they bend O’er his grave with the look of a loving friend.
I have camped in the whispering forest of pines, I have slept in the shadow of olives and vines; In the knees of an oak, at the foot of a palm I have found good rest and slumber’s balm. And now, when the morning gilds the boughs Of the vaulted elm at the door of my house, I open the window and make salute: “God bless thy branches and feed thy root! Thou hast lived before, live after me, Thou ancient, friendly, faithful tree.”
Voyagers
The sea is his, and he made it.
Psalm 45:5
O Maker of the Mighty Deep Whereon our vessels fare, Above our life’s adventure keep Thy faithful watch and care. In Thee we trust, whate’er befall; Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
We know not where the secret tides Will help us or delay, Nor where the lurking tempest hides, Nor where the fogs are gray. We trust in Thee, whate’er befall; Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
When outward bound we boldly sail And leave the friendly shore, Let not our heart of courage fail Until the voyage is o’er. We trust in Thee, whate’er befall; Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
When homeward bound we gladly turn, O bring us safely there, Where harbor-lights of friendship burn And peace is in the air. We trust in Thee, whate’er befall; Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
Beyond the circle of the sea, When voyaging is past, We seek our final port in Thee; O bring us home at last. In Thee we trust, whate’er befall; Thy sea is great, our boats are small.
The Burning Bush
I will now turn aside and see this great sight.
Exodus 3:3
Thy wisdom and Thy might appear, Eternal God, through every year; From day to day, from hour to hour, Thy works reveal self-ordered power.
We worship Thee whose will hath laid Thy sovereign rule on all things made; The faithful stars, the fruitful earth, Obey Thy laws that gave them birth.
Yet Thou canst make a marvel shine Amid these mighty laws of Thine. As when Thy servant Moses came And saw the bush with Thee aflame.
We turn aside and tread the ways That lead through wonder up to praise; Wherever Thou by man art found The homely earth is holy ground.
If Thou hast formed us out of dust Through ages long—in Thee we trust; O grant us in our souls to see The living flame that comes from Thee.
Children in the Market-Place
They are like children in the market-place.
Luke 7:32
Like children in the market-place Who weary of their play, We turn from folly’s idle race And come to Thee to-day. O Jesus, teller of the tale That never will grow old, Thy words of living truth prevail Our listening hearts to hold.
Tell us of Father-love that speaks Peace to the wandering child; Of valiant Shepherd-love that seeks The lost sheep in the wild; Of deep Redeemer-love that knows What sins we need forgiven, And on the Magdalen bestows The purest joy of Heaven.
Tell us of faith that’s like a sword, And hope that’s like a star; How great the patient soul’s reward, How blest the loyal are. Tell us of courage like a wall No storm can batter down; Tell us of men who venture all For Thee, and win a crown.
Tell us that life is not a game, But real and brave and true; A journey with a glorious aim, A quest to carry through. Tell us that though our wills are weak And though we children be, The everlasting good we seek We can attain through Thee.
Jesus Return
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
St. John 14:18
Return, dear Lord, to those who look With eager eyes that yearn For Thee among the garden flowers; After the dark and lonely hours, As morning light return.
Return to those who wander far, With lamps that dimly burn, Along the troubled road of thought, Where doubt and conflict come unsought— With inward joy return.
Return to those on whom the yoke Of life is hard and stern; Renew the hope within their breast, Draw them to Thee and give them rest; O Friend of Man, return.
Return to this war-weary world, And help us all to learn Thy secret of victorious life, The love that triumphs over strife— O prince of Peace, return.
Jesus, we ask not now that day When all men shall discern Thy coming with the angelic host; To-day, to all who need Thee most, In silent ways, return!
One in Christ
Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.
St. John 10:16
No form of human framing, No bond of outward might, Can bind Thy Church together, Lord, And all her flocks unite; But, Jesus, Thou hast told us How unity must be: Thou art with God the Father one, And we are one in Thee.
The mind that is in Jesus Will guide us into truth, The humble, open, joyful mind Of ever-learning youth; The heart that is in Jesus Will lead us out of strife, The giving and forgiving heart That follows love in life.
Wherever men adore Thee, Our souls with them would kneel; Wherever men implore Thy help, Their trouble we would feel; And where men do Thy service, Though knowing not Thy sign, Our hand is with them in good work, For they are also Thine.
Forgive us, Lord, the folly That quarrels with Thy friends, And draw us nearer to Thy heart Where every discord ends; Thou art the crown of manhood, And Thou of God the Son; O Master of our many lives, In
