are little things, But a terrible thing is doubt.

p. 126

p. 127THE SECRET OF PRAYER

p. 127

CONTENTS

For he who climbs to say his prayer Meets half way the descending Grace.

Elsa Barker, in British Review.

Elsa Barker

This is the secret of all prayers That in God’s sight have worth, They must be uttered from the stairs That wind away from earth; And he who mounts to speak the word, He shall be heard. He shall be heard.

And he who will not leave himself, But stays down with his cares, Or with his thoughts of pride and pelf, Though loud and long his prayers, Beyond earth’s dome of arching skies They shall not rise. They shall not rise.

Oh, ye who seek for strength and power Seek first some quiet spot, p. 128And fashion through a silent hour Your stairway, thought by thought; Then climb, and pray to God on high: He shall reply. He shall reply.

p. 128

p. 129THE ANSWER

p. 129

Up to the gates of gleaming Pearl, There came the spirit of a girl, And to the white-robed Guard she said: ‘Dear Angel, am I truly dead? Just yonder, lying on my bed, I heard them say it; and they wept. And after that, methinks I slept. Then when I woke, I saw your face, And suddenly was in this place. It seems a pleasant place to be, Yet earth was fair enough to me. What is there here, to do, or see? Will I see God, dear Angel, say? And is He very far away?’

The Angel said, ‘You are in truth What men call dead. That word to youth Is full of terror; but it means Only a change of tasks, and scenes. p. 130You have been brought to us because Of 

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