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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 
 
THE MAN OF GALILEE 
 
The Better Part 
 
 In Metre 
 
 V 
 
 By 
 
 SHELDON LEAVITT 
 
 " Martha, Martha, you are anxious, 
 and trouble yourself about many 
 things; but only a few are neces- 
 sary, or rather one. Mary has 
 chosen the good part, and it shall 
 not be taken away from her." 
 
 — Jesus Christ 
 
 \ 
 
 Published by 
 MAGNUM BONUM COMPANY 
 
 CHICAGO 
 

 Copyrighted by 
 
 MAGNUM BONUM COMPANY 
 
 1909 
 
To those who Love 
 With Human Sentiment 
 Outmeasuring Life and Ease, 
 These Lines I Dedicate. 
 
JL 
 
 "Between lovers it is only the loose change 
 of conversation that gets into words. The 
 important matters cannot wait so slow a mes- 
 senger; while the tongue is being charged with 
 them a look, a twitch of the mouth, a movement 
 of the finger transmits the story, and the 
 words arrive; like Blucher, when the engage- 
 ment is over." 
 
 — J. M. Barrie. 
 
The Better Part 
 
 N HEBREW 
 maiden's eyes, 
 with lashes 
 long 
 And dark, intent- 
 ly peered 
 Along the path 
 that swept with 
 graceful curve 
 About the hill and 
 soon was lost 
 To view, as back and forth she paced 
 Upon the roof of a small house 
 Within the little town of Bethany 
 An afternoon of long ago. 
 
 Wi 
 
 K 
 
 
 V 
 
 V^ 
 
 m 
 
 k 
 
JL 
 
 I 
 
 The sun lay on the hill in color deep, 
 And a rare silence hung about the 
 
 place. 
 The day had drawn its weary hours 
 
 out 
 And now had reached the point 
 Expectant for th' impatient one 
 Who waited there alone. 
 How artless and how sweet that 
 
 girlish face! 
 How fair that form, clad in a simple 
 
 garb! 
 In face and form and movement one 
 Could read a strength of soul. 
 And a wealth of impassioned senti- 
 ment — 
 
Hall-marks of royalty which Nature 
 
 gives 
 Most sparingly. 
 
 The restless step was held half made 
 Whene'er a human form appeared 
 Upon the path, in hope that it should 
 
 be 
 The figure of that plebeian youth 
 Whose nature, touching hers, had 
 
 roused 
 The fires of a deep love. 
 
 He oft had come along this very way 
 And waved her greeting as he came. 
 "He will not fail me I am sure," 
 She murmured as again she paused. 
 
/ 
 
 ''This is the hour, and soon — Ah, 
 
 there he comes," 
 She cried, ere other eyes than hers 
 Had seen a meditative youth 
 Saunter with graceful step along the 
 
 way. 
 
 With all the warmth of youth and 
 
 love 
 She flew to greet him as he came, 
 To bid him welcome there. 
 
 Well matched were they in tempera- 
 ment and type. 
 
 His fairer shade of countenance and 
 hair 
 
 Was in strong contrast with her 
 darker hues. 
 
We see them there e'en now, his 
 
 soulful eyes, 
 Blue as the vault of heaven, 
 Reading the lines of sentiment 
 In that expressive face. 
 
 The sister and the brother of 
 This maiden fair greeted the guest 
 Cordially, for they had long been 
 friends. 
 
 A happy family this, beneath a 
 
 humble roof. 
 The mood of all was full of cheer; 
 A vein of pleasantry ran through all 
 
 speech. 
 They chatted on an hour, as do the 
 
 young. 
 
 W7 
 
 ^ 
 
 V 
 
 k 
 
I 
 
 Of things and people here and there. 
 The guest, though eldest, was as 
 
 young in word 
 As any of the rest, and yet 
 There seemed in him a settled sense 
 Of power reserved, of greatness un- 
 disclosed. 
 There was a mein which plainly said, 
 In modest tones, "This is no common 
 
 clay;" 
 And yet a plain simplicity 
 Dwelt in his words and acts. 
 There was a veil of mystery 
 Enwrapping him. 
 
 His parents were well known as plain 
 And honest souls living most happily 
 In Nazareth of Galilee. 
 
 10 
 
'Twas said this son should some day 
 
 be a king, 
 Though where his kingdom was to be, 
 Or when, had not been told. 
 Some said 'twas but a mother's 
 
 foolish pride 
 Had given out the word; but others 
 
 held 
 That God had named him Jesus as 
 A mark of royalty. 
 'Twas also said that he had been 
 In solitude for many months; 
 That he had been among Egyptian 
 
 seers 
 And learned the secret of their 
 
 powers ; 
 
 'P ^^ ' " J 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 1^. 
 
I 
 
 That he had healed sick folks, 
 And made the blind to see. 
 A fellow townsman had he freed 
 From demons, and a friend lame from 
 His youth had he restored to even 
 step. 
 
 But he had held his peace. 
 
 He vaunted not himself, and now 
 
 To those dear friends, his hosts, he 
 
 seemed 
 No other than a brother dear. 
 
 These visits now and then he made, 
 and some 
 
 I 
 
 12 
 
Had said that he and Mary lovers 
 
 were; 
 And so they were, in truth. 
 
 This was a happy visit, like the rest, 
 And on a certain morrow, as the sun 
 Hung over the horizon yet an hour. 
 He left them with a fond good-bye. 
 But ere he went, Mary and he 
 Stole to the roof for a brief talk alone. 
 They sat in silence for a time, 
 As lovers love to sit. 
 Not listless but enwrapped in reverie 
 Absorbing and profound. 
 The stillness of the hour and of the 
 town 
 
 m 
 
 K 
 
 k 
 
 m 
 
 13 
 
 ^ 
 
Gave emphasis, and made his words, 
 Which voiced the thought that broke 
 
 the pause, 
 Impress her heart indelibly deep. 
 "Mary, my dear," he said, ''oft do I 
 
 find 
 My heart drawn hitherward, and oft 
 My feet would ardently here turn 
 Where I have ever found a peace and 
 
 joy 
 
 Not elsewhere known. 
 But I must tell you plainly, dear, 
 My life has been unfolding to an end, 
 A purpose, as the leaf unfolds 
 And then the bud and flower. 
 
 14 
 
My manhood, into which from callow 
 
 youth 
 That had no meaning to my friends, 
 I now have come, unto me certifies 
 
 the task 
 My Father's will has laid upon my 
 
 heart. 
 My time has now arrived, and I must 
 
 work 
 While it is day, for soon the night 
 
 will come. 
 You do not understand, nor I. 
 But there is laid on me a sense of 
 
 power 
 And purpose which bespeaks 
 
 WSK 
 
 15 
 
 S. 
 
 m 
 
 ^v 
 
> 
 
 A mission, and a message true 
 
 For many souls. 
 
 My feet are at the threshold of the 
 
 door 
 And all the impulse of my mind and 
 
 heart 
 Move me to enter in. 
 Henceforth among the throng I shall 
 
 be found 
 Proclaiming truths which even now 
 Within me burn and press for 
 
 utterance. 
 I must away, but ere I go. 
 My heart prompts me to say, 
 Among all women thee I love the best. 
 I do not say farewell, for I shall come. 
 
 16 
 
It may be oftener than before, 
 
 To escape the press, and rest. 
 
 I go, and God be with you, Love!" 
 
 And he was gone. 
 
 She heard his manly step along the 
 
 way. 
 A maiden sat alone, tearful, forlorn, 
 Brooding in silence on the days to 
 
 come, 
 So somber and so sad. 
 Then, as the curtain of the night 
 Fell softly down and shut her in, 
 Rising, with heavy heart, to go, 
 "His mission shall be mine," she 
 
 said. 
 
 k 
 
 V 
 
 17 
 
 <. 
 
And later, as she lay alone, 
 She dreamed that he was ever near 
 To calm, to comfort, to sustain. 
 Thrice blessed sleep! How it doth 
 
 lull us in 
 Its restful arms, healing our griefs 
 And softening all our woes! 
 
 18 
 
I 
 
 "No man knows the richness of love who has 
 not at times found out what it is to put out 
 heavy expense for his love's sake." 
 
 — Charles V. Dole. 
 
USTY and travel- 
 worn they 
 came, 
 Jesus and his dis- 
 ciples, Peter, 
 James 
 And John leading 
 
 the way, 
 Unto that hamlet 
 in the Judean 
 hills, 
 Which nestled 
 close beside Jerusalem. 
 The summer sun had sunk 
 Behind the pink horizon, thus 
 Assurance giving of a bright return; 
 
 ?^ 
 
And twilight, with its calm, 
 Was settling o'er the scene. 
 
 The Prophet was well known to all, 
 For often had he thither bent his way 
 To pass the night, when worn 
 With clamor for relief 
 From ailments of the flesh and mind 
 Of the rude throng which daily 
 
 pressed him sore 
 Where'er he went. 
 Some of the people whom he met 
 As he passed on had felt his healing 
 
 touch. 
 And heard his voice speaking 
 The words of health and life. 
 
 22 
 
Simon the Leper lived only a turn 
 
 away, 
 And Lazarus, whom he had called 
 Forth from the tomb, lived with 
 His sisters at the end of the 
 Short pathway into which his feet 
 
 now led. 
 
 For many years 
 
 This brother and these sisters had 
 
 Been knit in closest sympathy 
 
 And dear companionship 
 
 With this man who by all 
 
 Was said to be a coming king. 
 
 The neighbors said that Jesus loved 
 
 The handsome Mary, who 
 
 23 
 
Sfl 
 
 Had grown in all the traits 
 Which make a woman loved. 
 Many a time, in days long gone, 
 They lingered on the roof of this rude 
 
 house 
 Just as the shadows of the night 
 Began to fall, as lovers often sit 
 Silent from deep emotion which the 
 
 tongue 
 Cannot express nor tones phonetic 
 
 spell. 
 He sat and pondered on what lay 
 
 before, 
 Of work and suffering for human 
 
 kind. 
 
 24 
 
Which from the pleasures of domestic 
 
 life 
 Would him debar. 
 
 His mission to mankind seemed stern, 
 So much of sacrifice did it involve. 
 His human love — yes, human love — 
 Welled up in all its energy, 
 Though never for a moment had it 
 
 power 
 To change his purpose to fulfill 
 His destiny; 
 And yet that human love, in being 
 
 shorn 
 Of full expression, suffered much. 
 
 V. 
 
 The little family a welcome gave 
 Ere he had reached their humble 
 home. 
 
 25 
 
 k 
 
Their yearning hearts knowing full 
 
 well 
 That he would come to them for rest, 
 As he so oft had done before. 
 
 I 
 
 They kissed him — Mary, Martha, 
 
 Lazarus — 
 Bidding him "welcome" with a 
 
 warmth 
 That love alone can give; 
 And he, with courteous "Good 
 
 night" 
 To his disciples, who at Simon's 
 
 house 
 Would pass the night, entered with 
 
 them 
 The humble home. 
 
 26 
 
Events which had o'ertaken them 
 Since last the honored guest 
 Had slept beneath the roof 
 Now sheltering him, were lightly 
 
 touched upon, 
 And then the smoky lamps went out 
 That all might rest until the morn. 
 
 These humble friends knew not how 
 
 great 
 Was he who slumbered there that 
 
 night. 
 They knew him as a lofty soul, 
 Replete with power. They knew 
 
 him as 
 A sturdy friend who loved them well. 
 
 27 
 
They looked upon him as a man of 
 
 God, 
 Whose mission was to uplift and bless; 
 But whence he really came and who 
 
 he was 
 They could not understand. 
 Some said he was Elias come again. 
 By John the Baptist he was called 
 "The Lamb of God who takes away 
 "The whole world's sin." 
 Some looked upon him as a king, 
 Whom God had sent that Israel 
 
 might be saved 
 From the oppressor's yoke. 
 The unseen forces leaped to do his 
 
 will; 
 
 28 
 
Lazarus himself he called forth 
 
 From the dark tomb where he had 
 lain for days. 
 
 They raised their eyes to him in awe, 
 
 Believing him God-filled and heaven- 
 inspired; 
 
 And yet they sensed in him a love 
 
 So human, so man-like, 
 
 .That he to them could be no other 
 than a man. 
 
 That which he touched was hallowed 
 by the touch. 
 
 His presence was magnetic — all per- 
 suasive, 
 
 His mein was royal and 
 
 His look betokened dignity of soul. 
 
 When he was there they felt secure; 
 
>. 
 
 No harm could them befall. 
 
 A vitalizing atmosphere surrounded 
 
 him 
 And made his presence felt on all 
 
 about. 
 Like man he slept and ate and loved; 
 And yet at times he seemed divine. 
 
 Such was the guest who passed the 
 
 night 
 Within that modest home in Bethany. 
 And they all slept, — 
 Martha to wake and ponder o'er the 
 
 morning meal; 
 Mary to weep over the thought 
 Of the departure of her guest; 
 Lazarus to feel again deep gratitude 
 
 30 
 
For being called back to life, 
 
 And Jesus to resume with patient joy 
 
 The mission he was sent upon. 
 
 The morning sun rose o'er the hills 
 That hid Jerusalem from this 
 Secluded spot, in all its beauty. 
 Early had Jesus left his cot 
 And sought the roof, there to com- 
 mune 
 With his own Self, sublime, — 
 The very Father who within him 
 
 dwelt. 
 And, as the light broke o'er the hills, 
 He lifted up his eyes and blessed the 
 
 day 
 Coming to him so auspiciously. 
 
 31 
 
/ 
 
 He turned in thought to those he 
 
 loved 
 Most tenderly, — this little family — 
 His absent comrades, a stone's throw 
 
 away, 
 His subjugated race whom blindness 
 
 long 
 Had held in servitude beneath 
 The Roman yoke, — Jerusalem 
 So changed from what it was 
 In pristine days, — and there he 
 
 blessed them all. 
 
 Descending to the living room 
 He greeted each. Laz'rus had gone 
 To meet a throng of neighbors who 
 Were curious to know what he could 
 tell. 
 
 32 
 
Martha went busily about her work. 
 
 But Mary, dropping every care, 
 
 Seated herself low at the feet 
 
 Of Jesus and looked on his face 
 
 So radiant, while he spoke. 
 
 He told her of his recent journeyings; 
 
 How glad the common people listened 
 
 to 
 The words he gave, and how 
 The Scribes and Pharisees opposed. 
 How, at his word and touch, new life 
 Came to the sick and weak; 
 How the blind eyes let in the light. 
 How deaf ears heard, at his com- 
 mand, 
 
 34 
 
How the lame walked, and melan- 
 choly fled 
 Before inspiring thought. 
 
 Sitting thus at his feet, this child 
 
 Of love drank in his words. 
 
 Filling with admiration as he passed 
 
 From scene to scene in the recital. 
 
 She uttered not a word, until. 
 
 After a pause, he said: 
 
 ''Of all that I have done, nothing 
 
 Has left a keener sense of joy 
 
 In my own heart than raising from 
 
 the tomb 
 Our brother Lazarus." 
 
 "Ah, Sire," she said, as her hand 
 reached 
 
I 
 
 For his, and the tears filled 
 
 Her large brown eyes, "You were so 
 
 good to us! 
 Why we should thus be singled out 
 And thus so honored by thy dear 
 Companionship and aid, I do not 
 
 know; 
 But, my dear Sire, our warmest 
 
 thanks 
 Are yours. Command me and 
 My very life for you 
 I would with joy lay down. 
 I tremble when I hear the muttered 
 
 threats 
 Of those who love you not. 
 Ah, can it be that men would harm 
 
 36 
 
A hair of one so good and kind ? 
 Of one who seeks but to uplift 
 And bless humanity ? 
 If I were but a man I fain 
 Would guard you night and day 
 And parry every thrust of word or 
 
 sword. 
 But I a woman am, only 
 A weak and timid woman whom 
 Those savage beasts would trample 
 
 on 
 And spurn." 
 
 The morning sun shone through 
 The open door and spread upon 
 The floor a flood of light. 
 It was a scene of love, the like 
 
 1^ 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 ^. 
 
Of which God's sun rarely reveals; 
 Mary and Jesus there alone, 
 The light celestial glowing in 
 The face of each. Where love 
 In genuineness and purity 
 Is found, there heaven is. 
 
 For a brief moment Jesus 
 Uttered not a word. He looked 
 Upon the beaming face of her 
 Who sat before him, with a tender- 
 ness 
 That love alone can show. 
 No one could gaze upon this scene 
 And doubt that these two souls did 
 love. 
 
 38 
 
Love should be raised above 
 
 The zone of physical desire, 
 
 Of admiration of the face and form. 
 
 It should be sublimated by 
 
 The spirit and made pure and sweet. 
 
 Creative in its impulses, 
 
 Let its creations seek the higher 
 
 planes, 
 For thus it is emancipated from 
 The selfish and the gross, 
 And set on high, a thing 
 To worship and adore. 
 
 'Twas such a love that moved 
 
 Son of Man 
 Toward Mary, and it well became 
 His station and his work for human 
 
 kind. 
 
 39 
 
Love needs a Mary and a Jesus to 
 
 Proclaim its greatness and 
 
 Its purity divine. 
 
 He was a "Son of Man," 
 
 He was a "Son of God." 
 
 In him the Father dwelt, 
 
 As he in us doth dwell. 
 
 In the Infinite did he live 
 
 And move and have his being, as do 
 
 we; 
 He formed a part of the Infinite 
 
 Whole, 
 And so do we — both you and I. 
 He was the "Elder Brother," of 
 A common Father whom we all adore. 
 He called us "Sons of God"; 
 
 40 
 
He saves us by his life and word of 
 
 truth, 
 Not by his death. 
 Both "life and immortality 
 Are brought to light" through him. 
 He taught the power of faith 
 To overcome the world and raise 
 Man to his true estate. 
 Beelzebub they called him, 
 Denouncing all the truths he taught. 
 Whole truths he spoke, but men 
 See only half, and call him "God," 
 And, though extolling him, do not 
 Conform to what he taught. 
 
 k 
 
 And then he said, to the expectant 
 maid. 
 
 41 
 
I 
 
 1 
 
 "You dear, devoted soul, I know your 
 
 heart. 
 I knew it from the start, and loved 
 It well. Closer you come to me 
 Than any other of 
 My friends and comrades, dear, 
 I would that you could always with 
 Me be, as you would love to be. 
 But a stern mission is pressed home 
 Upon my soul, and I must see it 
 
 done. 
 Whither it urges me, thither I go 
 In all my manhood's strength. 
 To do my work. But I shall seek 
 Thee here whene'er I can, for this 
 To me is home, and here I know 
 A loyal heart forever waits for me. 
 
 42 
 
Now let me tell you, what to none 
 I've told, the story of thy brother's 
 
 rise 
 From out the grave." 
 
 "Love was the motive power," he 
 
 said, 
 As on her head he laid a gentle hand. 
 "I loved your brother Lazarus; 
 1 knew his kindly ways, 
 His sincere heart, his love for you 
 And Martha, and I knew 
 How sore bereft you could but feel. 
 My own heart bled when first I 
 
 heard 
 That Death had seized him. 
 But then, in childlike faith, 
 
 V 
 
 43 
 
 ^ 
 
ST 
 
 My spirit rose within me and 
 I felt Divinity moving me strong. 
 So, with an impulse born, I say, of 
 
 love, 
 I bade you cheerful be, 
 Assuring you that he should rise. 
 I saw the struggle of your faith, — 
 I saw its triumph, too. 
 And that same faith, founded, itself, 
 
 on love. 
 United then with mine and urged 
 
 me on. 
 
 Yet as we went along the way 
 Toward the tomb, I could but weep; 
 Though not in sorrow for the dead; 
 My heart seemed melted by 
 
 44 
 
A burst of human pity and regard. 
 Thought of the unnecessary woe 
 That lies upon the human heart 
 And weights the body with infirmi- 
 ties 
 Came in upon me like an avalanche, 
 Until again I felt like crying out 
 In deeper earnestness, 
 'All ye that labor and are overborne 
 With burdens of the flesh and mind, 
 Come unto me and I will give you 
 rest ! ' 
 
 .V 
 
 As we went on a consciousness pro- 
 found 
 Of power arose in me. 
 The Energy Divine within us, child. 
 
 45 
 
We do not apprehend, nor yet em- 
 ploy 
 
 As heaven designed we should. 
 
 Beside the borders of our conscious- 
 ness 
 
 Is a vast wealth of power 
 
 Ready for recognition and for use. 
 
 Realization of this power 
 
 Comes to me o'er and o'er, as it 
 
 Came on that day I called 
 
 Thy brother forth from that dark 
 tomb." 
 
 While thus the Master, in his accents 
 
 low. 
 Recited the events 
 So deeply stamped upon her memory, 
 
 46 
 
And opened to her view 
 His innermost experiences, 
 Worshipful adoration filled her soul. 
 To her he was Divinity in human 
 
 form ; 
 She worshiped at his shrine; 
 She loved as ne'er before; 
 She loved as only woman loves — 
 With all her might and mind and soul. 
 
 V 
 
 Mary had quite forgotten that the 
 
 hour 
 Of leisure with her guest 
 Was putting on her sister, whom she 
 
 loved, 
 A heavy task, so all-absorbed 
 Was she in deep communion with 
 
J 
 
 Her deeper self and him she sat be- 
 fore. 
 With hasty step Martha came in 
 And said, in petulance, to him 
 Who innocently had thrown on her 
 More than her share of work 
 Among the pots and kettles of 
 The little home, her cheeks aglow 
 And her voice vibrant with emotion, 
 ''Why should you keep her. Sire, 
 And lay on me the burden of 
 The early morning work? 
 Carest thou not?" 
 
 He looked on her, and, smiling, said, 
 ''Oh, Martha! Martha, dear! you 
 anxious are 
 
 48 
 
And troubled over many things. 
 One thing is needful, and your 
 
 sister, here, 
 That better part hath chosen, which 
 From her shall ne'er be taken. 
 Be not so much concerned about 
 The frills and fringes of your daily 
 
 life. 
 But set your heart on higher things- 
 •The things that last. 
 I thank you for the service you have 
 
 done; 
 'Tis needful that we eat and sleep. 
 And do the daily tasks pertaining to 
 Domestic life, and Mary ever has 
 Her part well borne in these. 
 
 49 
 
But there is huiiger of the heart and 
 
 soul 
 Far more essential, which, neglected, 
 
 starves 
 The best there is in us, 
 And makes our lives, otherwise rich, 
 Barren and fruitless. 
 So chide us not, my sister dear, 
 But join us, if you will, and hear 
 The story of thy brother's rise." 
 
 Touched by the kind rebuke, Martha 
 Sat down beside her sister, where 
 The sunlight lay upon the floor, 
 And listened while her guest 
 Again resumed his recital. 
 ^'Before you entered," he continued, 
 
 50 
 
''To Mary I rehearsed my feelings on 
 The way whither you sisters had 
 His body carried to the tomb 
 Before you sought me out, — 
 The way in which our little com- 
 pany, 
 Bent on relief, that day passed on. 
 
 At last we stood before the tomb. 
 It was a solemn moment, for 
 I knew what it would mean to you 
 To have him come forth warm and 
 
 well. 
 That his dull ears should fail to 
 
 hear 
 My voice, when I should bid him 
 
 rise. 
 
 51 
 
 k 
 
} 
 
 Was not a possibility to be 
 Seriously considered, for my faith 
 Was absolute, unwavering, sure. 
 How sad that men should ever 
 
 doubt, 
 And thus bring on them needless 
 
 woe! 
 What will not yield to faith, will 
 
 yield 
 To nought in earth or heaven. 
 Faith is the spark which lights the 
 
 fire; 
 It is the key that turns the power on 
 In its resistlessness! 
 
 I saw the people massed about the 
 tomb, 
 
Expectant and intent, not knowing 
 
 what 
 Effect upon the sleeping one 
 The Son of Man could hope to make. 
 
 k 
 
 I had no studied method of ap- 
 proach ; 
 
 Nor scarcely did I know 
 
 The nature of the action to be 
 wrought ; 
 
 I only knew that I was led, 
 
 And that through me the Father 
 would 
 
 A marvel do before the eyes 
 
 Of those who stood about. 
 
 V 
 
 iN> 
 
 I bade them roll away the stone 
 Which sealed the tomb, and then 
 
 V. 
 
 m 
 
 53 
 
 k 
 
/ 
 
 I did not haste, but waited till 
 The uprush came, for come I knew 
 
 it would. 
 Meanwhile I looked about upon the 
 
 throng. 
 And in the faces there I read 
 Emotions deep of sorrow, care, 
 Expectancy, appeal and profound 
 
 faith. 
 I looked at Martha, and at you 
 Who never seemed so dear. 
 A prayer for help was in the eyes of 
 
 both : 
 A prayer of faith which reinforced 
 
 my own 
 And made assurance doubly sure. 
 
 54 
 
A 
 
 Immediately my course was clear; 
 
 Assurance filled my soul; 
 
 The Father bade me call thy 
 brother back to life. 
 
 Power, resistless, restless, urgent, 
 
 Waited upon the word. 
 
 I raised my eyes and voice in grati- 
 tude 
 
 To him who had us heard, and 
 blessed his name. 
 
 Potentially the deed already had 
 been done. 
 
 And so I called thy brother not to 
 rise, 
 
 But to 'Come forth' — and forth 
 he came. 
 
 1 
 
 56 
 
Man's thaumaturgic powers 
 Are in him, but they are not his. 
 It was the Father, — God, — not I, 
 Who raised thy brother Lazarus. 
 And yet we all are one. 
 We do God no dishonor when 
 We call the power ours. 
 The spirit and the purpose are 
 What give the deed its character. 
 We cannot mock him, nor deceive — 
 He knows our hearts and lives, — 
 And he is pleased to see his children 
 
 show 
 Their confidence and power. 
 The superstitious and the ignorant 
 Persist in calling me 'Lord! Lord!' 
 
 ^ 
 
 k 
 
 V 
 
 
 57 
 
 k 
 
/ 
 
 1 
 
 Though I have sought to make it 
 
 plain 
 That I am human like the rest, 
 And that humanity is real divinity, 
 Though still divinity in embryo. 
 Could they but comprehend the 
 
 truth 
 That we are all children of God, 
 Then would they not call any man 
 'Lord! Lord!' knowing that God 
 
 alone 
 In his vast fulness. 
 Should thus be known and desig- 
 nated." 
 
 " 'Twas wonderful!" Martha 
 claimed. 
 
 ex- 
 
 58 
 
"How came you by this marvelous 
 
 power, 
 My Sire ? — this power that heals the 
 
 sick, 
 Opens blind eyes, gives the weak 
 
 strength, 
 And brings again to life those who 
 
 were dead ? 
 It passes comprehension. Sire; 
 What power but God's could do all 
 
 this? 
 We knew you as a youth; 
 And, though the people said 
 You were begot by God's own power 
 And were a king in embryo, 
 We always thought you but a man." 
 
 K7 
 
 .^ 
 
 V 
 
 bi 
 
 59 
 
 k 
 
I 
 
 "My child," he said, "it is the power 
 
 of God. 
 It dwells in us, — in you as well as 
 
 me, 
 In all mankind, though they may 
 
 know it not. 
 It is occult, hidden, unrecognized. 
 How can one use a power he does 
 Not recognize and into action bring 
 On suitable occasion? 
 He first must know and then can 
 
 learn to use. 
 For many years I dwelt alone 
 As you well know. 
 With my Subliminal Self — 
 Which is the'God within us, child, 
 
 60 
 
Communing with him, hushing the 
 
 senses, 
 Subjugating the body and the mind 
 To the one purpose of control. 
 He who would aid his fellow men 
 And do aright the work designed for 
 
 him 
 Must first bring every action well 
 Into alignment with his will. 
 He must be Master of himself. 
 The processes are multiform — 
 I cannot here relate them all; 
 My power has come through them. 
 Ah, most of all we need to^know 
 The unity of life in all its forms. 
 
 .V 
 
 61 
 
/ 
 
 He who diversities of power and 
 Discordances of interests sees in 
 
 this 
 Vast Universe, in man and beast, 
 In heaven and earth, in flesh 
 And spirit, rises not unto the height 
 Of power he might attain. He is 
 Not masterful and strong. 
 While he who sees in all a unity 
 Of purpose and of plan. 
 With love pervading all, 
 Gets to the core of things. 
 He has no fear; his faith can rise 
 
 supreme 
 And bring him into harmony 
 
With all creative and administrative 
 
 forces. 
 You asked me to explain, 
 And that request I plead as my 
 
 excuse 
 For this elaboration of the truth. 
 You may not fully understand e'en 
 
 now, 
 But this I would make clear: 
 There is no discord in God's realm, 
 For God is all, and all is God. 
 Believe it, and faith then will take 
 
 the place 
 Of fear and fill your hearts with 
 
 peace. 
 
 V 
 
jl 
 
 I want you opulent in love and joy. 
 As for myself, I rest in peace; 
 No harm can me befall. 
 Men may despise and buffet me; 
 They may not harken to my word; 
 They may e'en persecute and slay ; 
 But in my heart there is no fear nor 
 
 hate. 
 We have to change; we cannot stay 
 
 forever here; 
 But fear let us not have. 
 Our hands should ever do with 
 
 might 
 Whate'er they find to do. 
 
Let us, then, worry not nor fret. 
 My spirit is not always gay, 
 But it is calm and sure. 
 I rest not, for this message I 
 Must spread while it is day; 
 The night cometh, and then we 
 rest." 
 
 "Dear Master," Mary said, "the very 
 
 thought 
 Of death to you fills me with pain. 
 You who can raise the dead 
 Need not, aye, must not die." 
 
 "My child," was his response, 
 "A grain of wheat cannot bear fruit 
 Except it fall upon the earth and 
 die. 
 
 65 
 
'Tis better that it germinate and 
 multiply. 
 
 When we go hence we do not cease 
 to be. 
 
 There is a higher and a better life 
 
 To which this is the vestibule. 
 
 Believe, my child, that kinship, here 
 first known 
 
 'Twixt soul and soul, shall, in the life 
 beyond. 
 
 Reach higher recognition and ex- 
 perience." 
 
 Then, rising, Jesus said: ''I must 
 
 Not longer keep you from your 
 tasks. 
 
 66 
 
"I would not have you negligent 
 And careless of the duties and the 
 
 work 
 Pertaining to this life. 
 Moreover, sisters dear, 
 In being faithful here to all 
 Your obligations and your tasks 
 I would not have you miss 
 The various joys of life. 
 Use them as not abusing them 
 And they will yield you health of 
 
 body. 
 Strength of mind, as God designed 
 
 they should. 
 Holding an even balance twixt 
 The serious and the light 
 
 67 
 
} 
 
 Will give you fitting poise. 
 Your Father is no tyrant lord, 
 And he would have his children 
 glad." 
 
 68 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 "I know not where his islands lift 
 "Their fronded palms in air; 
 
 "I only know I cannot drift 
 "Beyond his love and care." 
 
 — Whittier. 
 
 I 
 
LOWLY the morning sun arose 
 From out the east and scattered all 
 The shadows of the night. 
 
 A lonely watcher waited at 
 
 The little home in 
 
 Bethany 
 
 liiTo catch its first 
 
 warm ray. 
 
 The hours had dragged their pace, 
 And long ere dawn this maiden fair 
 
 had sought 
 The roof that she might muse alone 
 On him whose welfare dearer was 
 
 than life, 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 71 
 
 is. 
 
/ 
 
 And pray that safety him might wrap 
 As in a robe, to shield him from 
 The hate of evil men. 
 When last he left them with a word of 
 
 cheer, 
 To eat with his disciples the 
 Passover feast, conviction deep 
 Had settled in her heart that their 
 
 rude home 
 No more should claim him as a guest. 
 
 Rumors of wicked plans against 
 His life hung on the lips of those 
 Fresh from the temple crowd. 
 'Twas said the priests and elders 
 sought 
 
THE WAY TO THE JUDGMENT HALL 
 
 V 
 
 1^. 
 
 V. 
 
 m 
 
 k 
 
By subterfuge and stealth to bring 
 On him the condemnation of the law, 
 That he might die by Roman hands. 
 
 The common people loved him, but 
 The Scribes and Pharisees both 
 
 feared and hated him 
 And wished him dead. 
 
 For her there was no sleep. There 
 hung on her 
 
 A heavy apprehension, like a pall. 
 
 All night her very soul seemed vigi- 
 lant; 
 
 And then, as for a moment once she 
 slept. 
 
 She saw a savage mob, and, in 
 
 74 
 
The midst, the one she loved 
 Replying to their angry looks 
 With the same confidence and calm 
 She oft had seen, when, in their talk, 
 The bitter hatred of the Sanhedrem, 
 And what the dire result might be, 
 Was uppermost. 
 She saw herself pass through the 
 
 crowd 
 And seize his hand. She heard her 
 
 words, 
 "Jesus, I love thee, and our God is 
 
 near;" 
 And his response, "My child, I felt 
 
 thee near." 
 
 »^ 
 
 ^< 
 
 b 
 
 75 
 
 k 
 
And then they pushed her back with 
 
 ruffian hands 
 And said, "Begone!" 
 
 But see, a dusty traveller 
 
 Hastens to the door — grief in his 
 
 pallid face — 
 Simon the leper, who, with trembling 
 
 voice, 
 As Mary stooped to hear, 
 "Hasten! He needs you! He 
 Is doomed to death! The cross! 
 
 The cross!" 
 
 The way from Bethany, along 
 
 Its winding course, was quickly sped. 
 
 Wings to our feet love gives. 
 
 76 
 
Removes our fleshly limitations, and 
 
 Brings out the larger qualities 
 
 Of mind and soul. 
 
 And yet to Mary 'twas a tedious way. 
 
 V 
 
 As she approaehed the city walls 
 There came from devious ways a 
 
 motley crowd 
 'Mong whom the word had passed 
 That on Golgotha, to the north, 
 Where many a time the cross had 
 
 been set up 
 And death had come to the relief 
 Of tortured criminals, was where 
 This Jewish heretic was now to die. 
 
 V 
 
 m^ 
 
 77 
 
 k 
 
 m 
 
 k 
 
By various routes they sought the 
 
 spot: 
 Some through the eastern gateway 
 
 hurried in 
 And sped along the city streets, 
 While others wound their way 
 By devious paths outside the walls, 
 Too many of them urged by morbid 
 
 sense 
 Towards the fateful hill. 
 
 V 
 
 Lost in a reverie, scarce knowing 
 
 how, 
 The Hebrew maiden reached the 
 
 conducting throng 
 Just as the mob rushed forth. 
 
With ribald jest, from out the north- 
 ern gate, 
 
 The victim of their rage led on 
 
 By Roman soldiers to his doom. 
 
 Well in the van. 
 
 She saw his pallid face, noble,though 
 meek, 
 
 And thought his eye caught hers 
 
 Though he seemed not to heed the 
 throng. 
 
 Without the walls they laid a cross 
 Upon his shoulders, with a curse, 
 And bade him bear it on the way 
 To Calvary. But soon he sank 
 In sheer exhaustion from the load. 
 
 80 
 
 T-T-n » 
 
And, when they found his weary 
 
 frame 
 No longer could endure the strain, 
 They forced a foreigner to bear the 
 
 cross, 
 And hastened on with savage yell. 
 
 Carried along as in a dream 
 ►From which she fain would wake, 
 Stunned by the sight, the fountain of 
 
 her tears 
 Dried unto parching by the heat 
 Of the emotions burning in her soul, 
 The bruised, grief-ridden girl. 
 Sick with the sights and maddened by 
 
 the thought 
 
I 
 
 Of what must follow, knew not for 
 
 a time 
 Herself and what was done. 
 She saw not with a conscious eye, 
 Nor heard with conscious ears. 
 
 And yet at last she found herself, 
 With Jesus' mother, near the cross 
 On which she saw the form of him 
 For whom to die would be a joy. 
 And as she raised her tear-dimmed 
 
 eyes 
 To him she caught a look of tender- 
 ness. 
 And heard, though others seemed not 
 to hear, 
 
 82 
 
In accents suffering could not dis- 
 guise, 
 "I felt you near. Courage, my dear, 
 'Tiswell!" 
 
 And then she knew not what was 
 
 done or said: 
 She seemed to dream again of earlier 
 
 days — 
 Of sitting at his feet to hear 
 Him speak in a melodious tone 
 Deep truths her untrained mind 
 But poorly understood, but which 
 About her threw a spell and filled 
 Her sincere soul with joy. 
 Memories of former days and fancies 
 
 new 
 
 V 
 
 \ 
 
 83 
 
Sped lightly through her unruled 
 mind — 
 
 Fantastic thoughts of love, of girl- 
 hood times, 
 
 Of forms grotesque, of ill-defined 
 shapes. 
 
 Voices she heard; God spoke to her 
 
 As we are told He spoke to men 
 
 In days sunk in obscurity. 
 
 She walked and slept among her 
 
 friends and kin, 
 But consciousness was on another 
 
 plane 
 Of being, and hence she knew not 
 
 what 
 She said or did. 
 
 m 
 
 K 
 
 V 
 
 S. 
 
 m 
 
 85 
 
 k 
 
I 
 
 "Comfort one another; 
 For the way is often dreary, 
 And the feet are often weary, 
 
 And the heart is very sad. 
 There's a heavy burden bearing, 
 When it seems that none is caring, 
 
 And we half forget that ever we 
 were glad." 
 
 "Comfort one another 
 With the hand-clasp close and tender. 
 With the sweetness love can render. 
 
 And the looks of friendly eyes. 
 Do not wait with grace unspoken. 
 While life's daily bread is broken; 
 
 Gentle speech is oft like manna 
 from the skies." 
 
 1 
 
 86 
 
I 
 
 " Love is the wondrous angel of 
 life that rolls away all the 
 stones of sorrow and suffering 
 from the pathway of life." 
 
 — Wm. G. Jordan. 
 
HUS hours passed 
 
 on, and days. 
 At home they kept 
 
 her, for 
 Without restraint 
 
 she would 
 Have wandered in 
 
 the city streets. 
 And 'bout the scene 
 
 where last 
 Her own identity she held. 
 
 The mother of her Lord was also at 
 The little house in Bethany. 
 Mary of Magdala was likewise there ; 
 And here their griefs they shared 
 
 alone ; 
 With the coarse world shut out. 
 
 V 
 
 V 
 
 89 
 
 ^ 
 
/ 
 
 I 
 
 They knew the tomb where he was 
 
 laid, 
 And, on the morn of the succeeding 
 
 day. 
 Had found it sealed, and guarded by 
 The Romans, gruff and grim. 
 
 They had in mind what he had said 
 Of the "third day," and, though they 
 
 knew 
 Not what it meant, in conscious 
 
 sense, 
 There was a deep conviction that 
 The tomb could not him hold for aye. 
 And that he might arise again. 
 Called by the voice of God aback 
 To life, as he himself had Laz'rus 
 
 called. 
 
 90 
 
The little house at Bethany- 
 Was lighted early on that morn — 
 The first day of the week — the third 
 Since they had seen the tomb close on 
 The form of him so dearly loved. 
 
 That first day of the week 'twas 
 
 hoped 
 Would prove, as he had said, the day 
 
 on which, 
 In life, he should come from the 
 
 tomb; 
 And they felt that, with early morn. 
 He would appear to greet his friends. 
 Proving his Sonship and God's power. 
 
 Mary had waked serene and strong. 
 Her former poise restored, and joined 
 The other eager women — Marys all — 
 As they set out in simple faith. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 V 
 
A 
 
 I 
 
 'Twas early in the morn, some hours 
 
 before 
 The day should dawn, the Marys 
 
 three 
 Ventured upon their lonely pilgrim- 
 age. 
 The elder had no longer need 
 To guard and guide the maiden, for 
 Her fancies all had taken wing, 
 As do the fancies of a night of dreams. 
 A holy calm had settled on her mind. 
 And her strong soul seemed recon- 
 ciled 
 Unto the fatal thrust of Fate. 
 
 Emotions of a lofty kind make brave 
 The hearts of those they fill. 
 There was no fear of harm 
 As they pressed onward towards the 
 tomb. 
 
The pale moon shone upon the way 
 
 And gave Jerusalem a silver tint 
 
 As it lay there before them calm and 
 
 still, 
 A fitting emblem of the soul 
 Of him whose mutilated body lay 
 So near its walls. 
 
 Before the eastern sky began to light 
 Its morning fires, they neared the 
 
 tomb. 
 The figures of the Roman guard 
 Were plainly seen before its rock- 
 hewn door; 
 The soft breeze of the early morn 
 Fanned the warm faces of these 
 
 Marys three, 
 As for the moment there they stood. 
 Lone witnesses of what stern Death 
 can do. 
 
 IKJ 
 
 V 
 
 y 
 
 ^ 
 
 93 
 
 y. 
 
sn 
 
 Then suddenly a sight most strange 
 Arose before their eyes : there was 
 A quiver and a quake passed through 
 The earth and air. A light shone 
 
 forth 
 From out the sky, and a bright form 
 Stood at the entrance of the tomb. 
 Knowing in part its meaning true, 
 Seized with a sudden impulse to 
 
 approach, 
 They hurried to the spot. 
 
 The tomb was open, and the stone 
 Which sealed its mouth lay at one 
 
 side; 
 The Roman guard lay as in sleep, 
 Stupid, unheeding, stunned. 
 
 With anxious agitation they looked 
 
 in, 
 And lo ! an angel form sat there 
 
 94 
 
 m 
 
As though in wait for them. 
 
 No other form was seen within the 
 
 tomb. 
 "Fear not!" the angel said, "Fear 
 
 not! 
 I know for whom ye seek; he is not 
 
 here. 
 Did he not say that he had power 
 To lay his body down and take it 
 
 up? 
 Go tell to all that he has gone to 
 
 Galilee. 
 There they shall see him face to 
 
 face." 
 
 Turning away in joy the Marys then 
 Made haste to carry back the news, 
 When there they saw their risen Lord, 
 Who greeted them and said, "Go tell 
 the rest 
 
 m 
 
 bK 
 
 y 
 
 V. 
 
 m 
 
 95 
 
 ^ 
 
A 
 
 To haste to Galilee. 
 
 Lo! there they me shall see." 
 
 Doth love end here in time and sense ? 
 
 Is it ephemeral ? 
 
 Is that which makes life beautiful 
 and true — 
 
 Which animates and thrills — 
 
 Is that which rounds our being into 
 form 
 
 And gives us more abundant life — 
 
 Is it to perish with the porcelain form 
 
 To which it clings? 
 
 It cannot be. Love, like the soul, 
 
 The mind, the spirit which it ani- 
 mates, 
 
 Must live for aye and aye, 
 
 Gath'ring new energy as it unfolds 
 
 To all eternity. 
 
 96 
 
DEC 24 ?90§