Parent of all Love and Wisdom, Mother-Father God: we turn unto Thy Soul, which is the soul of Life and Love Eternal, praising Thee for the all-bountiful and perfect evidence of Thy Presence. As in the outer world the sunshine is more radiant and all nature responds with greater joy and thanksgiving unto life, and every leaf seeks to express its perfection, and every blossom to yield its sweetest incense and beauty, and still more joy seems to follow the rustling of the winds among the trees, and sound of the waves that break in songs of praise upon the sand; and the sky, with wonderful clearness, reveals the glory of that rapturous light that pulsates through all the spaces; so even more deep and more joyous is the throbbing from within the soul that feels the prophecy of the New Life, that responds unto the New Light, that declares, forever and forever the divinity of that Image that is within, and repeats itself in myriad anthems of praise. Unto that charmed altar Thy children turn; and others, though not aware, turn in silence seeking the innermost shrine. Unto that glad, New Shrine, as unto a new morning, as unto a new and perfect Earth, with hearts newly awakened unto Divine Love, may Thy children turn and in its Light grow strong and perfect, full of the splendor of the new Day, full of the peace that passeth not away; may the import of this hour be known unto all, and may such words and thoughts as are breathed give forth the abundance of their blossoms until the world is filled with the incense of the lilies of immortal life. Amen.

The Promise

By Galilee, such as the Master led

From the enthrallment of the Earth, Such time as Truth and Love seemed dead And only gleams of immortal birth Came o'er the sea and mountains fair On far Jerusalem, resting there;

Sncb times as He His disciples led

Unto the Peace mount, and gave speech On the heavenly wonders, and partly fed Them until their souls might reach Unto the higher height, and know The source whence all these blessings flow;

Such time as hatred and scorning drew The thought of worldlings to His life. And for the hate of Truth there grew Deep bitterness, anger and strife; And He, foreseeing the sad Doom The darkness and the dreadful gloom;

Spake words of comfort - not only to them Who felt His Presence in that form-But to the world; whose garment's hem Was trailed in all His life-blood warm. That world that would repentant grow When they at last His Truth could know.

He said: "the Comforter will surely come."

Long need there hath been for this speech;

What time within the earthly home

Mortals toward the Heavens might reach

For higher heights; Death's wondrous peace -

No Comfort brought with its release.

Where hatred deep and dark has reigned,

And fearful poverty, war and wrong. And all within the Earth-life stained

By dreadful deeds and the mighty and strong Oppressed the weak, and they in torn Sought Freedom, its altar fires to burn.

But He said: "The Comforter will come";

Now in the fulfillment of that day, Such time as from fair Heaven's dome Angels make the appointed way - Behold the promised light appears! Behold the crown of all sad years!

There cometh the herald of the morn -

As when from night the Earth awakens Unto the glory, newly born,

So, long expectant, time is o'er taken; The messengers who, one by one,

Reveal the coming light and power, Promise of the Kingdom thus begun

In the new Dawn's appointed hour.

As when winter has held in thrall

The streams that murmur forth their joy; And over Earth the white, still pall Hath been thrown; - through winter's alloy, Through Tempest, darkness, and deep gloom Man only thought of Death's dread tomb;

Or as when torn and aching hearts

Have longed for the high and perfect Love, Longed for that voice its strength to impart That comes only from Heaven above; So in the midst of death and doubt Have sought within, around, without For some sweet, healing balm to be Poured on their hearts' deep agony.

And then, as when after such awaiting,

Earth has seen no forefelt glow Of the wild, fearful storm abating; But only shadow on shadow below - Only the deeper and deeper shade. Only the sorrows Earth hath made,

Then suddenly breaks the clear light

In and through - the morn is here; Spring grows transcendent. Earth is bright. Blossoms adorned with dew appear And song-birds praise, and all things fair Reveal the glory that is there:

Even thus the world has waited long, And war, and pestilence, and gloom, The battle of the mighty and strong, And Death that sealed the darkened tomb, All passed, have perished, and the light Has pierced through the Lethean night.

The world hath waited; would He wait?

The Comforter, expected long? Would that be Christ, who from Heaven's gate Came, heralded by the Angels' song? Or would the Comforter still be Herald of Christ's new victory?

The yearned for answer none might tell;

But pulsing of Angel's pinions on the air The light Divine the deeper swell Of wondrous harmony so rare Are signs and tokens far and near That the long promised One is near.

The song that syllables the light

That bursts in life from out the tomb, The messengers from Heaven's height, Each one casting the Earthly gloom Aside, and girding grief around, Win mortals by their sweeter sound.

All this betokens something near - The triumph over those in power, Their abject horror and the fear Of those most mighty in Earth's dower; Shaking of Kingdoms, Thrones that be Heavy with human agony.

The age is wondrous; with New Day

Between the Earth and Heaven's height; Glowing, the matchless, shining way To the spirit vision; the fair sight That opens tmobscured, reveals The heavenly message that it conceals.

All this unto the faithful ones

Who ever watch by the tomb of Time; Obedient to messages that come. Obedient to the wonders sublime; Those who wait and watch and pray Behold the dawning of the day;