[THE KNOWN GOD.]
(Suggested by Arlo Bates' sonnet, "The Unknown God," published in the Boston Courier of August 21, 1887.)
If Paul in Athens' street left nothing more
Than what he found when deep in sacred thought,
He stood and marvelled o'er what had been wrought,—
The To the Unknown God of heathen lore,—
Then were he only one on thought's wide shore
To lose his name in others. But, heaven-taught,
Undaunted, and in words experienced-fraught,
Declared he God as known forevermore.
Paul's words, made deep and strong by martyred life,
Are more than vision deified. They are
Love's balm to permeate true mental strife,
And bring to sin-sick weary souls a star
Of hope born of temptation's struggles rife.
To the Known God. Through Paul we dare thus far.
August, 1887.
[TO PHILLIPS BROOKS.]
O type of manhood, strong, serene, and chaste,
Attuned to law of man as well as God,
We hail thee as a guide, who, having trod
With Christ the spirit-fields, in eager haste
Makes glad return to give us blessed taste
Of fruit there found. Through thee our feet are shod
With gospel-peace, while thy imperial rod
Becomes our need in times of drought or waste.