ill Clear! fp By h JOHN OXENHAM Author of "Be«9 in Amber," "Ati's W«U.'" etc., etc. Ail Clear / All Clear ! The Cumbered uHty* are free For mtm to build, txs C""*^ '•'"^ His glorious liberty. ALL CLEAR! " A BOOK OF VERSE COMMEMORATIVE OF THE GREAT PEACE BY JOHN OXENHAM PUBLISHE'b BY THE BUSINESS PRESS, INC.. 235 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK <\ \s>' :f^. \^ Copyright 1919 BY John Oxenham ©C1A529492I ^Y u ^ TO ALL HIGH SOULS WHO SEEKING NOT THEIR OWN GOOD BUT THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF THEIR FELLOWS ARE STRIVING TO BUILD THE NEW LIFE THIS LITTLE BOOK IS INSCRIBED IN THE GREAT HOPE THAT OUT OF PRESENT LOSS SHALL COME A GREATER GAIN'. dontents 'ALL CLEARr PAGE I. The Watcher at the Door . . 1 II. Earth's Travail . . . . 5 III. Earth's Warf.'VRES . . . . 9 IV. Then Rose a Man . . . . 13 Come back to Me, now, O My Children ! V. The Opening of the Door . . 17 VI. The Door Swung Wide . . 20 To Men of Good-zvill — Peace! 21 We thank Thee, Lord! .. 21 Hear the Glad Tidings! . . 23 Hoiv many, Lord, have died . . 24 All Clear! All Clear! .. 25 VII. So Christ came back again . . 27 VIII. Then was Earth made anew . . 30 THE BOOK OF PRAISE. I. The Nobler Ecstacy . . . . 33 II. In Nights and Days . . . . 35 The Great Procession of the Days 37 Til. In all Thy Heavens . . . . 39 De Profundis 41 IV. In all Thy Temples . . . . 42 What is man? .. ., 45 PAGE V. In Service . . . . . . 47 I sert'e . . . . . . 50 VI. In all Fair Waters . . . . Si The River of God .. .. 52 VII. In all Things Growing . . 53 O'ne of the first things God made 56 VIII. In Thy Skies 58 Free! Free! Free would I be! 60 IX. In all Bird-Voices . . . . 62 The wonderful trust of a birdling 65 X, In Nature's Wonders . . . . 67 Thank God for opened eyes . . 72 XI. In all Thy Hidden Workings 73 I^i silence and in quietness . . 75 XII. In all Thy Creatures . . 77 Let every living thing praise God 80 XIII. In Times and Seasons .. .. 81 Let all men everywhere praise God! .. .. ' .. .. 83 XIV. In Life ... In Death . . 84 Life!— Death!— What then?.. 87 fforeworD Four years of the most hideous warfare the world has ever known — or, we may now hope, is ever like to know — have razed the old House of Life to the' ground. The world is still sore cumbered with the ruins, but slow- ly and surely they are being cleared away and cast on the scrap-heap. Crowns and Kingdoms have fallen to the dust. Those who took the sword, and forced a reluctant world in self-defence to do the same, have fallen by the sword, and for the most part they are powerless for further active ill. For which we are devoutly thankful. But— after the clearance must come the re- building, and unless that is done on righteous lines all this horror will have been futile — the losses we have suffered, both by war and pestilence, will be as nothing compared with the thrown-away future, — the loss of That Which Might and Ought To Be. The old order can never be nenewed. We are grateful, for it was full of evil. The New Temple of Life must be built on surer foundations and in all ways builded better. The only foundation is Christ. The only builder is God, through His servants. Any- thing less is world-loss that may never be retrieved. Man's refusal of God's Proffered Way, 1900 years ago, was the sorest rebuff He ever received, and the greatest blow. Yet His great offer has never been withdrawn. It still holds good. Until the world turns from its own ways to His, and from the depths of its soul de- sires Christ back into its Life, all its strivings are in vain — blind and futile beatings of the wind and ploughings of the sand. That is the simple fundamental fact which there is no gainsaying and no shirking. We are face to face with it, and it means world-life or world-death. What are you doing about it? JOHN OXENHAM. All clear! All clear! The cumbered ways are free For man to. build, a^ God hath willed, His glorious liberty. If but man will Turn from his ill. And own His sovereignty. His loftiest hopes he shall fulfil; God's proffered grace is proffered still, — // — but — man — will! All ailear! I HEARD a knocking on The Outer Door That stands betwixt man and the Infinite ; And every knock re-echoed in my heart, And in the troubled heart-beats of the world. The Door stood fast, with complex bolts and bars That could be opened only from within, And He who knocked stood patiently without, And knocked .... and knocked .... and waited But The bolts were rusted stiff with many a sin. And no man rose to loosen them And let Him in. Within were noises multitudinous, Confusions vast and endless, hopeless strife; Earth's millions, swarming like an angry hive, Fought for their lives but gave no thought to Life. 2 "ALL CLEAR!" How should that knocking on the Outer Door Be heard amid such murderous uproar? Small thought indeed they gave, and still less heed To Him who stood so patiently without And knocked upon The Door, and on their hearts, Bolted as surely lest He should come in. And if one, here and there, with quick- ened sense, — On bed of pain or overwhelmed with woe, When the night-watches dragged so leaden slow, — Did hear, in his own heart-beats, echo low Of that persistent knocking on The Door, He would turn, restless, on his tumbled bed. And cry perchance, — "Yes, yes! — I hear ! — I know ! And presently I'll let Thee in. . . . but now " Then, conscience-pricked and soothed, would fall asleep Or to his woes again. And He without; — His feet were bleeding from the road That He so hopefully had trod To lead men back to God. "ALL CLEAR!" 3 His brow still bore the scurril thorn, — The noblest crown was ever worn — His fair white robe was stained and torn ; But yet no suppliant forlorn Was He Who waited there so patiently. His face was sad yet full of loving hope — — The saddest face the world has ever seen. Yet Love, That conquered Death, still hopeful strove With that sore challenge of the close- barred Door, Nor would surrender smallest shred of hope, But hoping, lived and loved and hoped the more. For Love lives on though Hope may droop and die, Since Christ Himself gave Love her amaranth crown Of Immortality. The gentle hands that ever wrought men's good Still bore the wounds of man's ingrati- tude, And as He waited there, so great the pain Of that barred Door, the old wounds bled again. 4 "ALL CLEAR!" Yet was His mien right royal, and His eyes Shone as the stars shine in the unfath- omed skies Of God's vast distances. They pierced The Door, Saw all that passed within — and more ; Saw whither all this maddened coil was tending, — Saw the beginning — and saw too the ending, — Saw to the full the dread catastrophe That waited man, if, contumacious, he Persisted still in his gross perfidy. And . . . ever . . . ever. More and more Impassioned, yet all patiently^ The Silent Watcher stood without And knocked upon the close-barred Door, Stood ever waiting . . . waiting , . . waiting, Ever knocking on The Door, And no man let Him in. Has Life e'er known a sweeter, truer, Nobler, more devoted wooer, Or Love more loving a pursuer? Yet man would none of Him,! "ALL CLEAR!" 5 Earth was a pit of endless miseries — Man strove with man, nation with nation strove, For little masteries of this and that, Which passed like bubbles on a moun- tain stream, And vanished like the fragments of a dream. Behind the Silent Watcher at The Door Lay all the vast ungauged infinities Of time and space — God's great eterni- ties. And there within, man plied his little will,— God's greatest gift — the freedom to fulfil His destiny, to choose 'twixt good and ill,— That made him lord and master of his fate, Free of the high and low, the small, the great. And all too oft that small self seeking will Turned the fair earth to hells of misery, Nor gave a thought to all that lay beyond. In the unfathomed vast of God's eternity. 6 ''ALL CLEAR!" But here and there, at times, some loftier soul Unduly born into a heedless world, And with earth's self-made sorrows weighted sore, Would hear the knocking on The Outer Door, And cry his soul aloud, — "O deaf and blind ! Can ye not hear the knocking on the Door? Christ stands without and knocks. Give h€ed ! Give heed ! For your souls' sakes, give heed ! Un- bar The Door, Lest, weary grown, He pass upon His way And leave you to yourselves for ever- more !" But they, intent on their own ends, would cry, — "Nay, keep it barred ! There is not room on earth For Him and us. Our ways are not as His; We cannot live within His liberties." And some, — "Not yet ! Not yet ! First let us work Our own salvation out, and fit the world ''ALL CLEAR r 7 For His indwelling. Then will we give Him Welcome full. But now . . . How could He dwell in such a world as this? Wait till we lessen its disparities !" And everywhere was strife. The Church of Christ, Itself divided, strove within itself For things that control not, and gave small heed To Lif e'si deep open wounds and poignant needs, And with its Christless futile wrang- lings drowned The sound of that low knocking on The Door. And so the seething millions heeded not Its teachings so diverse, its clashing creeds, But sought in other ways to salve their woes. By baser means to satisfy their needs. And Christ was left bereft of those Whose sacred duty called them to oppose Life's growing evils and The Kingdom's foes. And . . . ever . . . ever More and more "ALL CLEAR!" Impassioned, yet all patiently. The Silent Watcher stood without And knocked upon the close-barred Door, Stood ever waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting, Ever knocking on the Door, And no man let Him in. Has Life e'er knowft a sweeter, truer, Nobler, more devested wooer, Or Love more loving a pursuer? Yet man would none of Him ! "ALL CLEAR!" 9 Earth's ills waxed more and more; and still The Door, By which God's Mercy entrance sought, was barred. In the demonic storm and stress of life The soft persistent knocking was not heard. None rose to let The Consolator in, None thought of Him, none cared. Earth was convulsed with wars. The Kingdoms raged, Without, within, and strife was every- where. At times the turmoil broke with thun- drous roar, Like a great blast from hell, upon The Door, And shook it and the very walls of heaven. And He without stood patiently and knocked. And knocked . . . and knocked . . . But no man heard, and no man cared. And no man rose to let Him in. The world in torment groaned unceas- ingly,— One long unending cry of tortured souls, — 10 "ALL CLEAR!" The panting sobs of men who fought for life, Women in anguish, children's wailing cries, Laughter of fools, and moans of dying men, All blent in one hoarse dirge of agony. For, even where no actual strife was waged. Where, here and there, the lands at times had peace, — Peace that but hatched the broods of further wars, — Yet even there black hidden warfare raged, Of fouler cast than where the hosts en- gaged. — Warfare of commerce girding men to nought. Bodies and souls but chattels to be bought And sold for profit — devil's marketing ! — Traffic of ghouls with endless evils fraught ; — Warfare of vast self-seeking enterprise, Which grew distent on other's miseries. Soul-less and thoughtless save for its own gain. Its ledgers foul with many a grim red stain : ''ALL CLEAR!" II — Warfare of greed that stole the children's lives; Warfare of lust that naught could satisfy, Honour as dust, and women left to die; — Warfare of class with class, and rancorous hate That would all save itself annihilate. In all the cities, underneath the fair Outside presentment, lurked vast char- nel-caves Of poverty and evil and despair, — Black jungles where the wild beasts made their lair, And lay in wait, and prowled by night Their victims to ensnare. Even the countrysides bred evil things, — Dank miseries, oppressions, burdenings, Old as the hills, — the strong enbondaging The weak in helpless vassalage. Warfare of Evil everywhere with that Primordial Good, with which in plenti- tude God in creation His fair earth endued; But now, in place of His beatitude, — Eternal strife and fratricidal feud. Everywhere Evil fighting against Good. And, 'mid the storm-clouds of the upper air. 12 "ALL CLEAR!" Great shadowy armies fought a ghostly fight, With crashing thunders, lightnings blast- ing bright, That whelmed the earth with their stu- pendous might, And left it quivering with despair, And sore affright. Earth was no longer earth as God designed ; Perverse and blind, the free-will of man- kind Had made it liker hell. And Faith and Hope Their draggled wings had spread. And, sorrowing, fled. Since Love, that should have ruled the world, Was dead. And . . . ever . . . ever More and more Impassioned, yet all pa\tiently. The Silent Watcher stood without And knocked upon the close-barred Door, Stood ever waiting . . . waiting . . . waiting, Ever knocking on the Door, And no man let Him in. Has Life e'er known a sweeter, truer. Nobler, more devoted wooer. Or Love more loving a pursuerf Yet man would none of Him ! "ALL CLEAR!" 13 w. Then rose a man, God-reared, and God-inspired, — a simple man, Of lowly birth but full of holy fire, And cried, as cried the Messengers of old. And earth in her extremity gave heed ; — **Thus saith the Lord, — 'I have desired you with a great desire, Yea, with desire that nought else could satisfy. With the rue of a mother bereft of her Urst-horn, With ihe ache of a father whose sons have gone from him. My heart has gone out to you> Reached for you, craved for you, . . . . . . And ye would not. Come back to Me now, O My children, My children! Far you have wandered and far I have followed you; Come to Me now, O My children, My children. And you shall find rest for your souls! ' ■" And from the earth went up a weary sigh> 14 "ALL CLEAR!" "IVa, come! Lord, come! We die in misery !" " * / have called to you, called to you, called without ceasing; On the doors of your hearts I have knocked without ceasing; I have waited, and waited, with patience unfailing; I have called, and have called, and have never ceased calling; — And ye would not! Come back to Me now, O My sons and My daughters! Come to Me now with your burdens of sorrow! Come! — You are weary and heavily laden. And you shall find rest for your souis! ' " And from the earth went up a longing sigh ;— "Yea, come! Lord, come! Come quickly lest we die!" " ' How shall I come when the doors you have bolted f The doors of your hearts you have bolted against Me. How can I come when the bolts are against Me? The bolts are on your side the door, n&t on My side.' " "ALL CLEAR!" 15 Then heard they Him, — and heeded, for their woes Had grown beyond their bearing, and their needs Passed their desires. Storms they had sown, and whirlwinds they had reaped, Sands they had ploughed, and garnered only dust; Their mouths were full of ashes — Dead- Sea fruit That turned within to gall and bitterness. Their buidling left a world with wreck- age fraught. Their vast self-strivings all had come to nought. Their own devices their own ruin wrought. "Unbar the Door!" — they cried, — "Un- bar the Door, And let the Lord Christ in! All other zvays have proved our own ways vain. His power alone can cleanse the zvorld of sin, His love alone can aiiM us peace again. Unbar the Door, and leit the Lard Christ in!'' And ever . . . ever . . . More and more 16 "ALL CLEAR!" Impassioned^ yet all patiently, The eager Watcher stood without And knocked upon the close-barred Door, Stood ever waiting, . . . waiting . . . waiting. Ever knocking on the Door, But now man hearkened Him. Life never knew a sweeter, truer, Nobler, more devoted wooer. Nor Love more loving a pursuer, And now man craved for Him. 'ALL CLEAR!" 17 V. Then rose that man of God, and cried, — "Repent ye of your sins ! Repent! Repent! I will unbar the door and let Him in, His love alone can cleanse the world of sin." But some there were still obdurate, who strove To stay His purposing, and when, Aflame with zeal, he pressed toward The Door, Aflame with rage, they thrust upon him sore. He reached The Door; — with his last breath he drew The rusted bolts, then fell beneath their blows ; And, as The Door swung wide, the heavenly light Fell first on him who died to let it in. He lay there dead, below The Opened Door; But on his eager happy face was look Of high content that he — unworthy he — Had been found worthy to be spent On such supreme accomplishment. 18 "ALL CLEAR!" And those who slew him, full of bitter- ness, Strove hard to close again the Opening Door; But others, all ablaze with that same fire Which first flamed up within the man of God, Rose quick to follow in the steps he trod. Eager to give themselves, their lives, their all, To satisfy Life's soul-compelling call. So there was strife again, but this time strife 'Twixt Good and 111 — yea, for Life's very life- Strife to the death 'twixt that new sense of Right And the old evil power of Godless Might, The strife waxed sore, and sorer thar before, And Christ stood watching through the Opened Door, — Watching and praying .... And His prayers availed. Great hosts of angels hovered o'er the fight And heartened those who fought that fight for Right, That they prevailed.. *'ALL CLEAR!" 19 Long, long and bitter was that final strife, Till Life was smitten to the verge of death. But, by God's mercy, Life won through at last, The hosts of 111 were smitten hip and thigh, And Earth thanked God for its delivery. And so at last the long-closed Door stood wide, And none gainsayed it now, and none denied Christ's right of entrance with the Sweeter Life Which meant an end for ever to all strife. 20 "ALL CLEAR r m. The Door swung wide, and wider, wider grew, Till like the dawn it spread across the sky; Great seas of new life-giving light welled through, And spread o'er all the earth su quick- ening flood, — Healing and life for all earth's deadly woes, That larger Life that Love alone bestows — Life out of death for all the sons of men, For in the Light Christ came to earth again. His white-robed heralds of the New- Born Day Like silver clarions sounded far and near The thrilling joyaunce of His great "All clear !" And, as on that firt morn, they chanted — "Peace! Peace upon earth! — to men of good-will. Peace!" For in that word was pledge of man's release, — "Peace upon earth! — to men of g^ood-will Peace!" Into each darkest corner of the earth "ALL CLEAR!" 21 Streamed those great beams of sweet light-giving light, Shrivelling all foulness that it sank and died, And went back to its native elements To be re-made for good. And so, at last^ Earth was all clean for Him to build upon. Then rang the heavens, and earth re- sponsive rang. With the glad songs the joyous heralds sang,— Glory to God! Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest! And on earth — Peace! Peac^e upon earth! Peace upon earth? To men of good-will — Peace! Peace upon earth! To Life — new birth! To all men — Peace! To all — release! Gone all the bonds that burdened Life before! Christ has passed through the newiy- opened Door! We thank Thee^ Lord, that of Thy boundless grace. Mankind has turned at last ''to seek Thy facer 22 "ALL CLEAR!" Turned from himself, and of his own free-will Seeks now Thy loving^ purpose to fulUl. For this Thy boundless grace we thank Thee, Lord! We thank Thee, thank Thee, Thank Thee, Lord! We thank Thee, Lord, that of Thy boundless love Mankind Thy boundless tenderness may prove. May share with us the joyousness above. Where love is life, and life eternal love. For this Thy boundless love we thank Thee, Lord! We thank Thee, thank Thee, Thank Thee, Lord! We thank Thee, Lord, for this Thy gift of Peace. Let all the world build now to Thine increase. Build as mankind has never built before. And in Thy serince grow from m,ore to more. For this Thy Gift of Peace we thank Thee, Lord! We thank Thee, thank Thee, Thank Thee, Lord!" And others jubilantly sang, While heaven and earth responsive rang;— "ALL CLEAR!" 23 "Hear the glad tidings^ all ye sons of men, — Christ ito His own with joy is come again ! Hear the glad tidings of the Prince of Peace! Hear the glad tidings of the world's release! Hear the glad tidings of the New- Born Peace! Peace upon earth! To men of g^ood-wUl — Peace! Tell it, ye heavens of heavens, ye worlds on high, — 'The Lord has come all life to glorify.' Earth's myriad voices thunder in reply, 'The Lord has come. We laud and magnify.' Hear the glad tidings in all lands, all men, — 'The PHnce of Peace is come to earth again!' Hear the glad news, let all your strivings cease, — 'Peace upon earth, — to men of good- will, Peace!' Tell it, ye mountains, towering 'to the skies, 24 "ALL CLEAR!" Peak tell to peak your joyous ecsta- sies,— 'The Prince of Peace in triumph comes agaifiy To dwell for ever with the sons of men.' Tell itr y€ winds; on your great pinions hear The wondrous 'tidings through the waiting air, — 'Christ to His ozvn with joy is come again, To found His Kingdom in the hearts of men.' Tell it, ye worlds that swing in outer space, Sun, moon, and stars, each in his proper place; Tell it, ye rivers rushing 4 o the seas ; Tell it, ye seas, through all your liberties; Tell it, and tell, and tell it yet again, — 'The Christ of God lives with the sons of men.' " And this son too the heralds sang, While many a heart responsive rang; — "How many. Lord, have died To clear^ the cumbered ways. To set the Closed Door wide. "ALL CLEAR 25 To free the future days. To set the Closed Door wide. To give Thee entrance free, Right willingly they died. Right glad they live with Thee. Right willingly they diedy Right joyfully they live, For ever by Thy side, Since Thou dost honour give To all who died for Thee, To clear the cumhef^d ways. To give Thee entrance free. To build the future days. Praise be to God for all The lives so greatly given! No soul of all who met the Call But lives with Thee in heaven." And all in mighty chorus sang, While heaven and earth responsive rang,— All Clear! All Clear! The evil days are gone. The Prince of Peace is here To claim His Throne. All Clear! Alt Clear! The evil days are gone. His Throne is in The hearts of all who will Cast out their dearest sin And Love fulfil. 2^ "ALL CLEAR!" All Clear! All Clear! The cumbered ways aire free For man to bidld, as God hath willed. His sovereignty. All Clear! All Clear! Lord, build Thy sovereignty. His sovereignty Knows naught of time or space. It spreads through all infinity As does His grace. All Clear! All Clear! Build now His Temple fair, With Love alone as corner-stone. And faithful care! All Clear! All Clear! Build now His Temple fair! His Temple fair Is in the sons of men. And that ye are; The Christ is come again. All Clear! All Clear! All Clear! The Christ is come again. To build with caire His Temple fair Among the sons of men. All Clear! All Clear! All Clear! We thank Thee, O our God, For this Thy Gift of Peace! Our hearts we raise in fervid praise Praise that shall never cease. "ALL CLEAR!" 27 So Christ came back again. But not as suppliant now ; With power He came, His own to claim His gracious promise to maintain, As King Omnipotent to reign Within the hearts of men ; — As Lord Supreme of Death and Life, As peaceful victor in the strife, He came. He came, amid the world's acclaim, To found His kingdom upon earth, To give to Life a nobler birth, And heal it of its shame. No gladder face was ever seen than His, So full of grace and all high sovereignties, And all aglow with sweet benignities. His love-lit eyes shone like the great twin stars, And on His brow which once had worn, With patient dignity, the thorn. Was now a radiant crown of stars, Which hid and healed the bitter scars Made by the crown of scorn. His robe was brighter than the noon- day sun, And in His hand He bore a holy grail, Clear crystal, brimmed with bkssings infinite, — 28 ''ALL CLEAR!" Pardon and grace for all who would. And benedictions sweet. . . . And as He came, His eager foot fell first Upon the body of His harbinger, Low-fallen there below The Opened Door. He looked upon the high, enraptured face. So full content at being so well spent, Then stooped, and raised Him with His strong, right hand. And kissed Him on the brow, and drew him close, His first sweet deodand. "Well done, Well done! My good and faithful one! You gave your life to see the work begun. Come now zvith Me and see it fully done!" And, side by side, their faces all alight. Their eyes clear-shining like the stars of night, Hand clasping hand, they passed along the light. And, as they went. The Master said. In tones so penetrant and clear That every soul on earth could hear; — ''ALL CLEAR!" 29 '"Come unto Me, all you heavily bur- dened ones! Come unto Me, all you weary ones, come! The home is all waiting that I have pre- pared for you, All through the years while I waited and cared for you. And noiif I am waiting to welcome you home. Come to Me! Come to Me! Come to Me! Come! And you shall find rest for your souls! Have I not borne greater burdens of sorrow f HaiJe ii not known what it was to be lonely f Lean on Me now for to-day and to- morrow, Tru^t in Me wholly, and trust in Me only ! — And you shall find rest for your souls ! Here for your sorrow is healing and gladness. Give me your burden, and take you another's. So shall you rid you of all your own sadness. Healing your ouin wound by healing your brother's, And you shall find rest for your souls !" 30 ''ALL CLEAR!" Then was the earth made anew where'er He went, For all men's hearts were opened to the Light, And Christ was King, and Lord Om- nipotent. Before Him swept that flood of radiant light. Of rarest hues all blent to purest white, Probing each hole and corner where the dark Still clung, — routing the miasms as the sun Dispels the morning mists, and cleansing earth Of her impurities. And everywhere men's hearts turned unto Him As to the very source and fount of Right, As flowers turn to the sun, and every- where New Life sprang up to greet Him as He went Dispensing grace to all men everywhere. And His dispensed grace changed all men's hearts. "ALL CLEAR!" 31 Made His will theirs, and their wills wholly His ; So that they strove no more each for himself, But each for good of all, and all for Him, Man's common aim was for the com- mon good; The age-old feuds were of the past, And all mankind joined hands at last In common brotherhood. The city jungles withered in the Light, And in their places rose fit homes for men. Where children no more died like autumn flies, And there was room for all, and spa- cious life. The smiling country-side no longer served The favoured few, but bore their treas- ure-stores For all who chose, and golden harvest gave Of health, and wealth, and happiness for all, And all good cheer. The old waste places blossomed as the rose, And earth bore plenteously for all men's needs ; 32 ''ALL CLEAR!" Life's crooked things were all at last made straight, And the rough places plain. For Christ, the Lord, the Advocate With God for man degenerate, Had stripped Him of His high estate, And, filled with love impassionate. In mercy great had come again To dwell among the sons of men. And every man in all the whole wide world Had room, and time, and wherewithal to live His life at fullest full within the Law — The Law that has no bounds or bonds for those Who live it, for it is His Love, — The great unchanged, unchanging, and unchangeable Law. whose beginning and whose end is — Love. As it was in the beginning,, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. — Amen! Gloria Patri, et FiUo, et Spiritui Sancta, Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, Et in saecula saeculorum. Amen! "ALL CLEAR r 33 H Xtttle Book ot Common praise With hearts responsive and enfranchised eyes, We thank Thee Lord, for all Thy ministries; Our ceaseless thanks Thy ceasekss gifts acclaim, Yet ceaseless praise is nobler incense flame. So, unto Thee let every earthly thing Perpetual, pure, impassioned praises sing ! To Thee eternal praise be given By every creature Thou hast made In earth and heaven ! — And by mankind. Creation's last and best, Whose praise is still not equal to the rest. For man accepts, as of his right, the things Which Nature all spontaneous lauds and sings. And though he render thanks. Yet — Praise To Thee Is still the nobler ecstasy. Praise be to God For all His wondrous ways, For all the splendour of His hidden ways. For all the tender thoughtfulness, and grace, 34 "ALL CLEAR!" Which suffers our vast waywardness And yet prolongs our days! To Him for all things — Praise! To Him from all things — Praise! To Him in all thing^s — Praise! "ALL CLEAR!" 35 In all the nights be praise! In all the days! In sun and moon and stars be praise! In all the vast infinitudes of heaven, — In all the earth to its remotest end, — In worlds beyond as yet by man unk^nned, — Praise in the morning stars Which sing together still, as on that dawn When first the curtains of the night were drawn ! Praise in the sun, the fair life-giving sun. Rejoicing his triumphant course to run! Praise in the moon's white rapture of delight, Vesting the darkness with a mystic rite! In all Thy countless firmaments be praise! — In all Thy vast infinitudes of space; — In all Thy gleaming jewels of the night, Spread like a royal casket to our sight; — In every world that Thou hast made, be Praise ! — Still sweeter Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! In all the days be praise! — In those sweet vital days of quickening life. 36 "ALL CLEAR!" Which cheer hearts weary with the winter's strife; — In those wide days of Nature's graciousness, Which brim our hearts with joyous thank- fulness ; — In those soft days declining to the fall, When careful Nature plays the prodigal; — Yea, and in wintry days that give azest To homely joys, while Nature takes her rest ; — In days of sun, when Nature's heart is glad ;— In days of gloom, when Nature's face is sad; — Each its own part in Thy intention plays, Each unto Thee doth render joyful praise, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise ! In nights no death-blast smites, — in peaceful days, Be Praise! And in that Greater Peace which shall bind all The peoples in a Peace Perpetual, Still greater Praise! — Praise wiihout ceasing! Without ending — Praise! "ALL CLEAR!" Z7 In aught that Life has learned from Death through strife; In the new cravmgs for the Larger Life; In quickened hearts; in wider-visioned thought ; In all Life's gains, so sadly, dearly bought, Be Praise! And in Thy many mercies in the days We now look back on with such dire amaze, When, but for Thy support most evident. We had been broken in the grim red ways. And to no purpose spent ; In Thy deliverances in those dread days, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! The Great Procession of \the Days Seeps on and on; By upward ways, by downward ways, By ways that fill us with amaze. But ever on. They bring us good; they bring us ill; We know not zvhat; they are Thy will, As they sweep on. But [this we know, the day will come When we shall meet Thy "Welcome Home!" 38 "ALL CLEAR r Then, on and on^ The long\ day of eternity Will Wing us ever nearer Thee, So we press on. We thank Thee for the changing days. Each bringing something new;' For Life would prove a weary round If on its face no change were found. If it no variant knew. The very sun would he a blight If he perpetual shone; And so we tJmnk Thee for the night, That brings to life a brief respite And strength for the unknown. The days and nights Thy good gifts are. Help us to make of them. Dear Lord, A holy calendar! "ALL CLEAR r 39 In all Thy Heavens of Heavens be Praise! And as in Heaven, so on earth he Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! In all the high angelic hosts be Praise, — Thy holy ones, begotten, not create. Untouched of earth, all pure, immaculate, Who served Thee then when on the waters' face Thy Spirit brooded, ere Thy love did chase The Shadows of the black preordial night. And with a word called out of darkness Light. These render praise beyond all earthly powers, Praise zvithoui ceasing! Without ending — Praise! In all Thy chosen from the sons of men, Who bore without a stain their mortal chain, — Thy Saints on whose pure souls earth beat in vain, High Praise! 40 "ALL CLEAR r Yet sweeter unto Thee the praise of those Thy Love redeemed from earth's abysmal woes, Who in their depths have drunk the reeper cup, And by Thy Love have been more lifted up. Through clouds and darkness they discerned Thy face, Theirs the full measure of redeeming grace. These have known death that they the more might live, And they who most receive, the most shall give. So, from thci souls from sin redeemed, shall rise, Beyond all others sweets of sacrifice. Incense of Praise Thou most of all wilt prize. So, in Thy Havens of Heavens — eternal Praise ! Yet in the souls from sin redeemed, Still sweeter Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! "ALL CLEAR!" 41 H)e protunMs Out of the depths To Thee, O Lord, I ciried, And Thou my pressing need Hast ne'er denied. Thy hand reached domn. The sftrong right hand of Love, And lifted me right up My cares above. Had I not been Sunk in the depths of woe, I ne'er had known how much To Thee I owe. And so, although The depths were very sore. Through them I know Thee more Than e'er before. Out of the depths My soul can rise to God, Since He who died for me This same way trod. So, for the depths I still will grateful be, Sinde they made known to me Thy Charity. 42 "ALL CLEAR!' In all Th"^ Temples — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! — In these the living temples of Thy grace, Wherein we dwell for such a little space, Yet each is planned with all-unequalled skill Its well-appointed duties to fulfil. And, though the lease be short, yet each one is A marvel of divinest mysteries. Praise in each heart-beat, every pulse and breath That speeds our journeying 'twixt birth and death !— From its first launching to its final port, However long, the voyage is but short. In that within us which derives from Thee, And through all earth's distractions bids us grope Upwards and onwards towards the mighty hope "ALL CLEAR r 43 Of Immortality, be Praise ! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! Praise in their proper functioning of all These wondrous powers that answer to my call! — In mind alert, and opened eye and ear That love to seek and find Thee everywhere! Praise in the marvels of this mortal frame, Which Thy supreme and loving skill pro- claim ! — In healty mind in healthy body shrined, Each serving each, as wisdom first designed! Praise in the balanced working of the brain, — The Master — failing whom all else is vain ! Praise, Lord, — and of Thy grace and mercy deign The Master in His empire to maintain! Praise in the joyous sense of sight and sound, With their vast widening of perception's bound ! And praise in added senses given when these Grow fainter with life's long activities! 44 "ALL CLEAR r In touch, and taste, and smell, that serve so well The dweller in this narrow citadel, Be Praise! Praise in sleep's sweet renewal of life's waste ! Praise in the waking to life's conflict braced ! In that new eagerness for ampler life, For which men fought so long and valiantly; In all the soul's unpreaching after Thee; In Life's instinctive struggle to be free From all the prisonings that bowed and bent And barred it of its full accomplishment Be Praise! Praise in man's strength, in woman's beauty — Praise ! — In every child's unspoiled, spontaneous grace ! — In Love's sweet tendrils graciously en- twined With love responsive, heart and soul and mind! Let every meanest member of my frame Sing endless praises to its Maker's name ! Yet none is mean that bears the Master's seal, Since all alike His perfect skill reveal. "ALL CLEAR!" 45 lit all the living Temples of Thy grac^ Be Praise! Praise without ceasing! Withoii t ending — Praise ! What is man that Thou should'st mind him? — The son of man that Thou should'st visit him? In Thine own likeness^ Lord, Thy tender love designed him, And was it not Thy word That wrought the wonders of his frame, And breathed in him the living flame Of Thine own spirit? — Didst hid him stand and walk upright, Head to the heavens as in Thy sight; — And of Thy magnanimity Didst Thine omnipotence curtail To crown him with free-will, — The power to choose the great or small, The high or low, the good or ill. And sadly, sadly has he used That gift, and Thy great trust abused. No more he follows Thy behest. Nor sets Thee first, nor gives Thee best; But g,oes his own way down the s^teep, His self-sozvn harvesting to reap. 46 "ALL CLEAR r And yet, ivithout free-will, he were But slave, and no more son and h^ir. And so we thank Thee for Thy grace, And pray Thee bear with us a space.' "ALL CLEAR!" 47 D. In Service — Praise! Praise without ceasing' Without ending — Praise! In every noble self-denying deed, Which none but Thou perchance dost see or heed, High Praise indeed! In all who came back from the gates of death, — Praise without ceasing! " Without ending — Praise! For all who came back from the gates of death — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! For all ho, nobly striving, nobly fell, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! For all who, nobly strving, nobly fell, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! 48 "ALL CLEAR!" Praise in the souls of heroes, ranging free The glorious High Ways of Eternity ! Praise in the valiance which their souls sus- tained ! Praise in the well-won rest they have at- tained ! Praise in the goodly work and steadfast heart Of those at home who bore an equal part! Praise in the widening spirit of the days, Which everywhere new-quickening life dis- plays 1 In all who serve their country in its need, Nor let a thought of self or aught impede Their service — Praise indeed! And yet, in all who set Thee first, above All other — country, self, and life, and love. Still higher Praise! For these kin Thy fidelities. — In all who serve the sick, the maimed, the poor, Tn lowly ways — the Openers of the Door To sweeter life for any of their kind — High Praise ! For in their work we find Likeness to Thee and Thy sweet charity. "ALL CLEAR!" 49 In lives devoted to the Outer Night, Knights of the Cross in their unending fight,- In ail Torch-Bearers, carrying the Light To souls benighted, — to the blind new sight, — High Praise indeed ! Thou only knowest all the crushing load They bear who live to bring man back to God; In all such lives, with pure white fire ablaze, — Praise Tmthout ceasing! Without ending — Praise! — In all the humbler ministries Of hearth and home, of field and fold and farm, Of desk and shop, of mine and factory! — In all life's daily* rounds, on land and sea, And in the air — be Praise! For all. Done unto Thee, are answer to Thy Call, And all In equal measure are heroical. In all true service — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise ! 50 "ALL CLEAR!' * — In all Thy wondrous atmospheres, he Praise! Praise without ceasing! With out ending — Praise ! Free . . . free . . . free would I he To soar to the ix^onders of wonders I see In the heights of Thy radiant 'tranquillity, — Free from the ties and the trammels of things, Free to companion my soul when it sings, As it wings its glad way to 'the portal of day And the end and heginning of journeyings. Free from the bonds of the years of captivity, Ablaze zvith the joy of this new-horn ac- tivity, Juhilan't strong, in its latest ndtivity. High . . . high . . . high would I fly, •Through the heights and the depths of the hlu\e summer sky To the transcendant joys of infinity! "ALL CLEAR r 61 / would swim in those oceans of shimmering gold, I would hash on the beaches their soft arms enfold, I would zi'ander at will on the purple-gold isles, I would climb through the caves of the wild- tumbled piles, I would dream on the chores of the chang- ing lagoons Where time is unknown and where nought importunes, I would rest on the breast of yon high snowy crest. When the wonders of Paradise flame in the west. And the earth and the heavens with their glories invest. I would Hy to the Light . . . to the Light . . . io the Light, And for ever be free from the scathe of the nighty — Lord, gift me with wings when my time comes to go. And straight will I come as a shaft from the bow. 62 "ALL CLEAR!' IX* In all bird voices — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! Praise in the song of every sweet-voiced bird, Nor truer praise has God or man e'er heard; As all spontaneously it breaks and swells, The singer's thanks it all unconscious tells. — In every flute-throat perched on top-most bough, Singing his matins or his evensong! — In every anxious follower of the plough, Seeking a meal the new-tuned clods among! Praise in the swelling raptures of the lark, Thrilling the heavens with carols past all art, Each ringing note a white-hot silver spark Struck from the passion of a bursting heart! "ALL CLEAR!" 63 Praise in the sanguine robin as he comes, In faith and works robust and boundless trust, Across the snows to claim his dole of crumbs ! Praise in the swallow's whistle, clear and shrill, As, like a shuttle of blue burnished steel, Hither and thither in the waning light, He darts, and dives, and weaves his mazy- flight ! Praise in the speckled thrush whose tuneful note, Through constant repetition learned by rote, Pours in a flood from swelling heart and throat ! Praise in the blackbird's long melodious tale, When, with the endless wonders of his scale, His roosting neighbours he doth still regale With songs of love that time can never stale ! Praise in the starling's chatter, blithe and gay, As, in the quest his hunger to allay, He thrusts himself with zeal into the fray. Nor sufrers ought his ardour to dismay! 64 ''ALL CLEAR!" Praise in the sweet low warbles of the night, Whose mystic rite is love's supreme delight! Praise in the sweet-sweet-sweet small twit- tering voice Of the humbler folk whose hearts rejoice; Whose wooings, matings, buildings for the brood, Tell their full thanks for Thy good father- hood! These all, in their own sweet spontaneous ways, Render their thanks in never-ending praise. Even the cuckoo, child of Ishmael, With but two notes and no place where to dwell, Still does his best his grateful thanks to tell. And the lone owl. within the dim dark wood. Peals out his gratitude for nightly food. The eagle screams fierce thanks above her nest Of eaglets cradled on the mountain's crest "ALL CLEAR!" 65 The solemn crow, with hoarse discordant voice, Tells to the world his own peculiar joys. Harsh voices these, but He Who gave them knows That each its owner's gratitude displays As truly as the others' sweeter lays, And through the harshness He discerns the praise; And so — in all bird-voices — Praise ! Praise w^lthout ceasing! Without ending — Praise! The zvonderful trust of a hifdling! — So full and so free! For what does it know? — Not the small- est thing Save its own concerns, and those it learns *Neath the mother-ring and instinctively. And yet it is happy as happy can be, Enjoying each moment right merrily. It knows not at all what to-morrow may bring, And yet it can cheerfully chatter and sing; To-day is enough; yesterday has no siing; (^ "ALL CLEARS It carries no load, for it simply trusts God For its homey and its food, and for everything. 'ALL CLEAR!" 67 X* In Nature s endless tponders — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Wit ho u t ending — Praise ! In all high mountains — Praise ! Praise when they glimmer golden in the dawn ! Praise when the setting sun, dropped out of sight, Still holds them from the oncome of the night With tender fingers dipped in rose love- light! And praise when, in the moonlight clear and bright, They tower aloft, serene, and calm, and white. Praise in the valleys, nestling snug and sweet, Amid the folds of the tumbled robes About the mauntain's feet! Praise in the wide wild riot of the moor. Untamed, untamable, rejoicing, free, Unruffled, jubilant in sun and, shower, All stern, all sweet, compact of mystery. 68 "ALL CLEAR!" Praise in the bold tors heaving through the mist, Mystic, defiant, robed in amethyst! Praise in the smiling combes that run be- tween, Boscage and tillage and a glad terrene! Praise in the forest's lofty pillared aisles, Dim-lit, soft-carpeted, and silent save For Nature's own sweet voices, all attuned To worship in such noble sanctuary ! — And in far lowlands glimpsing through the trees. Wreathed in dove-mists and tempting secre- cies I Praise in vast sweeps of prairie and of veldt, Where Space Majestic in his might is felt, Felt to the crushing of man's soul, unless Himself within himself can fruit the wilder- ness! Praise in dim deserts fading to the line Where earth and sky in wanton dance: com- bine! Praise where the springs^ of fertile oases Relieve and bless their vast austerities ! Praise in the eternal wastes of ice and snow, "ALL CLEAR!" 69 Where in the dimness life runs thin and low! — In those wild splendours of the Northern skies Which fill their nights with mystic phan- tasies ! In the exuberance of tropic lands, Where Nature gives herself with open hands, Be Praise! Such prodigal profusion she displays, Man can but gaze in wonder and amaze. Praise in the weeds and flowers and grass that weave Robes of forgiveness where the battles were, Bidding man rise above his soul's despair, Since God and Nature every loss repair! Praise in the humble coltsfoot, Striving, might and main. To clothe earth's winter nakedness, And hide the rough scars made by man, With fair bright robes again ! — In tiny lichens, covering the bare Scarred rocks with coat of living arabesque 70 "ALL CLEAR!" Time's ravage to repair! There, all unseen, they weave with patient care Their broideries of green and black and gray, And rare old cloth of gold beyond compare. — In sweet rain-voices after droughty days, — In thirsty earth's deep joy of drinking — Praise ! — In rushing storms that purge all Nature clean, In sunny days wherein she smiles again ! — In the glad promise of the seven-fold bow, That heartens man to-day, as long ago! — In all the faery magic of the frost, Be Praise! — The work below-ground on the stubborn clods, The work above which such rare skill dis- plays, — The traceries, enamelings, designs, Unique and unsurpassable, and all In perfect silence to perfection wrought. "ALL CLEAR!" 71 Praise in the pure white mantle of the snow ! —In the weird elfin gleams in glacier caves, ^ Spectral and soft as those phantasmic tints That flit within the curl of breaking waves ! In that lone star, and that cold lonely moon, Be Praise! —Steel-bright in a steely sky, they two alone, When the blood-red sun, his short course run, Sinks into the dun, dull-glowing West, Where the high-piled bank of smouldering mist Lays a rampart of amber-rimmed amethyst On the winter's afternoon. Praise in the great waves roaring to the moon. Wild dance of splendour to a noble tune! Praise in the little waves laughing at the sun. All aglee, merrily, dancing in their fun! Praise in the sun's great flashing shields of light Upon slow-heaving seas! And Praise 72 ''ALL CLEAR!" In that long shimmering pathway of delight, When the white moon rides high the windy sky, Queen Regnant of the night! Nature's ten thousand thousand voices raise To her Creator jubilance of praise, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! Thank God for opened eyes, And hearts not too overwhelmed With worldly snar'es and earthly cares For His immanencies! To find Him everywhere. In every smallest thing, Is His good gift man's soul to lift Above its earthly fare. To trace His delicate Fine craftsmanship in all. Gives sense of new-born reverence For all things small and great. In all things Him we findy If we bnt bring to all. With conscious will and loving zeal. An open heart and mmd. 'ALL CLEAR!" 7Z xir» In all Thy hidden Tporkings — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! — In that great wonder of recurring birth In every seed that, in dear Mother Earth, Rough-nursed in darkness by the uncomely clods, And fed by rains and snows, stirs in its sleep, And, quickening into life, shakes off its bonds, Strives up and down, and so climbs through at last Into the light, and lives, and fruits, and bears, And drops the seeds again of further life! In that great wonder of recurring birth, — Praise without ceasing! IV it ho ut ending — Praise ! And so with man, — so with all life on earth; Life never dies, but ever with new birth Speeds on and on the great triumphant round. 74 "ALL CLEAR!" Transmitting oft, but never dying out. In that great glory of undying life, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! In those vast slow-surrendering mysteries Of force ominific, everywhere at work In silent might fulfilling Thy behests, Waiting but man's discovery to be His willing servants in captivity, Be Praise! From one small acorn mightiest oak may grow, And from that oak a million oaks may grow. So in one man a world may be renewed, As in one man came Life's supremest good. To Him and Thee be everlasting praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! Praise in those mighty hidden workshops, where, Unseen, in silence, with most loving care. The wonders of Thy grace Thou dost pre- pare, — Storing the earth, the seas, the ambient air. With treasure infinite for man's delight; "ALL CLEAR!" 75 Ruling the winds and waves, ranging the spheres Charging with life the changing atmospheres; Limning with joy the sunsets and the dawns, Tinting the grass, the flowers, the wayside weeds, Filling to fullest full man's amplest needs And more, — For Thy exhaustless store above, By Wisdom charged, is ministered by Love. In all Thy hidden^ wonder-working ways, Which ail our hearts with gratefullest amaze, — Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! In silence and in quietness God's mighty works are wrought Unheard, unseen. His workmanship Is to perfection brought. Deep in the earth, and high above. His unknown powers display Their multiform activities, And all creation sway. 76 \ "ALL CLEAR!" Ever at work, unheard, unseen, He is, in everything, Cause and effect at once in all That is or e'er has been. Help us, O Lord, in quietness To do our work, like Thee, And our souls brace with Thy sweet grace Of high tranquillity! ''ALL CLEAR!" 77 xiriT- In all Thy creatures — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! And special praise In all the common things of field and farm, Unconscious praise of quite peculiar charm! — In the sweet-scented breath of browsing kine, Blowing like incense on the dewy morn ! — In the blithe barking dogs, whose faithful eyes Anticipate their master's urgencies ! — In the old shepherd's patriarchal look, As to the heights he turns his wayward flock! — In the great horses' pride of conscious strength, — The straining muscles tense beneath the skin. 78 ''ALL CLEAR!" The arching neck, the dumbly-speaking eyes, The great fringed hoofs that scrape upon the stone, Restless for work, impatient to b€ gone; Or, in the furrow plod so cunningly As the rich earth curls deftly from the plow! Praise when at last the welcome gloaming falls. And home they jog with rhythmic-jingling chains, Like little bells that ring at eventide, — Home to the stable's well-earned warmth and cheer, To the full rest that knows not care or fear! Praise in their wholesome lassitudes that tell Of one more day's work truly done and well ! Praise in the frisking lambs beside their dams ! Praise in the calves' shy gambols in the straw ! Praise in the murmurous hum of homing bees, All tireless in their sweet activities! Praise in the clank of milk-pails in the byre! Praise in the milk, white-foaming in the pails ! Praise in the deft and hardly conscious skill Of man and maid unconsciously displayed! "ALL CLEAR!" 79 Praise in the waving fields of golden corn ! Praise in the pregnant, well-thatched rounded stack ! Praise in the merry clatter of the flail ! Praise in the shrill hone on the well-worn scythe ! These all their praises tell in accents blithe. Praise in the lesser folk who all rejoice, Unwittingly, with strange discordant voice, — Hens, ducks, and geese, domestically bent, And telling it with joy vociferent. Praise in the sleepy croaking of the rooks, In solemn conclave settling for the night ! Praise in the gleaming lights in cottage homes. That tell of rest and cheer when evening In all Thy creatures, great and small, be Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! 80 "ALL CLEAR!" Let every living thing praise God, That He hath found it worth A place in His creation's whole An entry on the noble scoll Of His completed earth! And since nought is that liveth not. Let everything piro claim Its jubilance in service true, And day by day its tro'th renew, And glorify His name! 'ALL CLEAR!" 81 XHlTf Praise in all Times and Seasons! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! Praise in Spring's joyous breaking of the bonds That Winter knit about her all too long! Praise in her birthing, bright and naked-free, Ablaze with new-born ecstacy. And bursting with glad song! Praise in her youthful beauty, all arrayed In bridal splendours though she be but maid! — In all the thrilling rapture of her lays, — In all her days, — in all her blithe glad ways. Be Praise! And Praise In Summer's golden days and jocund ways! — In all her matronly provisioning For every want — and more! When her full store Of fruit and flower she hastens to outpour Upon us with a great glad joyous laugh, And bids us her full bowls of nectar quaff. 82 "ALL CLEAR!" Praise in the Summer evenings when the trees Cast their long shadows far across the lawns, And, as the gloaming falls, the soft night breeze Sets all the little leaves a-whispering Their prayers and lullabies! In Autumn's rich and ripe maturity Be Praise! — In all her brimming wealth of fruit and bloom, — In all her golden sheaves brought safely home! Praise in her fragrant ricks, her swelling stacks ! — In the glad thought that nothing needful lacks ! Praise in her beauties everywhere unrolled, — Her woods aflame with amber and with gold. Her carpets rare, here wonders manifold! — In her soft langours as she falls asleep. When Winter stalks along his tryst to keep ! Praise in the Winter nights, when cold with- out But cheerier makes the cosy warmth within ! When, round the blazing hearth, high com- pany "ALL CLEAR!" 83 Foregathers, and the best, though oft unseen, Is still most there, as it so oft has been, — Friends of the past, book-friends, all joyous souls Who lift Life up above its earthly goals. In Winter nights, and dazzhng Winter days, — In all Thy times and all Thy seasons — Praise ! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise ! Let all men everywhere praise God For His most fair creation; And praise still more the Open Door Thai offers man salvation! Let all men everywhere praise God For His Son's sacriUcing ! That through His Own He hath made known His mercy all sufficing^ Praise God all creatures everywhere For w.ercies so unbounded ! — No thing there is but ever is By His great love surrounded. S4 "ALL CLEAR!" XHD. In life, and all things living — Praise! In death, and all that dies not — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise ! In that sweet soul of Life which came from Thee, And goes again to Thee, and lives with Thee, Through all the aeones of eternity, Be Praise! In life that lives in all that Thou hast made, Deep hid at times in things inanimate, Yet in each single thing Thou didst create, Is life, which follows Thy wise ordering; Nought is too small, nor aught too great to be The casket of Thy rich immanency. In all things living — Praise! Praise without ceasing! Without ending — Praise! '*ALL CLEAR!" 85 And in Great Death be Praise ! Death, the Bead-Roller of all noble souls, Whose lives pressed ever up towards noblest goals ! Death, who, with loving hands, at last unties The swaddling-bands of Life's activities, — Death, who flings wide the Golden Gates of Life, And brings to man God's Peace, and rest from strife! — Death who leads Life to larger life above, And crowns it with the miracles of Love; — Death who reveals the long-locked secret things, And gifts the soul with grace of tireless wings! Death, the Divided,— The Untirer, Death! Death, the Destroyer, — The Restorer, Death! Death, the Dethroner, — The Crown-Bearer, Death ! Death, the Deposer,— The King-Maker, Death ! Death, the Dark- Veiler, — The Revealer, Death ! Death, the Defiler,— The Purifier, Death! Death, the Downcaster, — The Uplifter, Death! 86 "ALL CLEAR!" Death, the Despoiler,— The Enlarger, Death! Death, the Discomfitor, — The DeHverer, Death ! Death, the Disabler,— The Renewer, Death! Death, the Desolator, — The Consoler, Death! Death, the Grim Gaoler, — The Releaser, Death ! Death, the Devourer,— The Life-Giver, Death ! Death, the Shroud-Bearer, — Death with The Key! Death, the Peacemaker, the Ender of Strife! Death, not the Master, the Servant of Life! Death, the Arch-Enemy? — Nay, Death The Friend ! Death the Beginning of Life — not the End ! In Death, and all that dies not — Praise! Praise zvithout ceasing! Without ending — Praise! "ALL CLEAR!" 87 Life! . . . Death! . . . What then? Save only in the name They are the same. For death begins with life's first breath, And Life begms at touch of death. The child's iirst feeble cry Death's claim doth ratify. Life's last long restful sigh But tells the new life nigh. So, fear not either one or other Each is to each but great twin-brother. Where'er thou goest, there go they, Close comrades with thee all the way. And since Uis better far to g\0 With two good friends than one dread foe, Lay a hand gently in the hand of each, And thou shall learn the best that each can teach. 'ALL CLEAR!' Let all men everywhere praise God For all that He hath done. But most of all for Love's High Call Through Jesus Christ, His Son! To him all praise and glory be While Time its course doth run! To Him the Kingdom and the Power, When Time and Everness once more For everymore are one ! w<^ vy. .-.rpr-fij' -: ■ LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS