Poems of Optimism
without a bow-string; A deed without a prayer is a bow-string without an arrow. The heart of a man should be like a quiver full of arrows, And the hand of a man should be like a strong bow strung for action. The heart of a man should keep his arrows ever ascending, And the hand and the mind of a man should keep at a work unending.

p. 123IF WE SHOULD MEET HIM

p. 123

Now what were the words of Jesus, And what would He pause and say, If we were to meet in home or street The Lord of the world to-day? Oh, I think He would pause and say, ‘Go on with your chosen labour; Speak only good of your neighbour; Widen your farms, and lay down your arms, Or dig up the soil with each sabre.’

Now what were the answer of Jesus If we should ask for a creed To carry us straight through the wonderful gate When soul from body is freed? Oh, I think He would give us this creed: ‘Praise God, whatever betide you; Cast joy on the lives beside you; Better the earth, by growing in worth, With love as the law to guide you.’

p. 124Now what were the answer of Jesus If we should ask Him to tell Of the last great goal of the homing soul, Where each of us hopes to dwell. Oh, I think it is this He would tell: ‘The soul is the builder—then wake it; The mind is the kingdom—then take it; And thought upon thought let Eden be wrought, For heaven will be what you make it.’

p. 124

p. 125FAITH

p. 125

Let a valiant Faith cross swords with Death, And Death is certain to fall; For the dead arise with joy in their eyes— They were not dead at all. If this were only a world of chance, Then faith, with its strong white spark Could burn through the sod and fashion a God, And set Him to shine in the dark.

So in troublesome days, and in shadowy ways, In the dire and difficult time, We must cling, we must cling to our Faith, and bring Our courage to heights sublime. It is not a matter of hugging a creed That will lift us up to the light, But in keeping our trust that Love is just, And that whatever is, is right.

p. 126When the hopes of this world into chaos are hurled, And the devil seems running the earth, When the bad folks stay and the good pass away, And greed fares better than worth, Oh, that is the hour to trust in the Power That will straighten the tangle out; For death and sorrow 
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