Swords for Souls

Swords for Souls Some men have swords with which to fightTo gain their carnal goals. Some men have swords with which to fightTo gain their carnal goals.The mortal body they will smite,But God has swords for souls. Like Mary, among women blessedAnd favored of the Lord,The servants we esteem the bestHave felt God’s piercing sword. […]

The Roaring Lion

The Roaring Lion There’s no utopian path of easeWhere trials won’t be met; There’s no utopian path of easeWhere trials won’t be met;Where I can think the prize to seizeWithout the lion’s threat. The devil walks about to seekFor souls he may devour.He preys on those whose faith is weakAnd takes them in his power. […]

If I Could Be a Martyr

If I Could Be a Martyr If I could be a martyr,I’d sooner die indeed If I could be a martyr,I’d sooner die indeedFor love shown to my brothers,Then sticking by my creed. The truth is all important,And doctrine comes from God,And I would never slight itTo thus escape the rod. Yet there is something […]

Mediocrity

Mediocrity O wretched mediocrity,With which the church is cursed, O wretched mediocrity,With which the church is cursed,How loathe are men to part with thee;How loathe thy bands to burst! How gladly men embrace thy ways,How low the goals they set!They live for one another’s praise,And God they full forget. They love to think that all […]

The Way of Escape

The Way of Escape There’s never a temptationOf all that might befall, There’s never a temptationOf all that might befall,That is a situationNot common to us all. There’s never a temptation,Whatever be its shape,But that a way is given,By which I might escape. However bleak my prospects,However dark my way,If I will heed God’s promise,I’ll […]

A Cloak for Lukewarmness

A Cloak for Lukewarmness Lukewarmness, though with self content,And with the status quo, Lukewarmness, though with self content,And with the status quo,Is not so foolishly intentHis temperature to show. He wants to shine in others’ eyes,And seem what he is not.He seeks a plausible disguiseTo make him look more hot. What calls for bland conformity,Yet […]

Worry and Quietness

Worry and Quietness Two passions that cannot agreeBoth try to be a friend to me. Two passions that cannot agreeBoth try to be a friend to me.The one more forward often gainsAn entrance to my heart and reins.In her I have no confidence;I find in her no real defense,Yet Worry often would pretendThat she’s my […]

Man Pleasing

Man Pleasing Oh, the crowd can’t be pleased, nor the members thereof, For what one will call hatred, another calls love. Oh, the crowd can’t be pleased, nor the members thereof,For what one will call hatred, another calls love. Though on pointing of fingers all seem to agree,The direction of pointing quite varied may be. […]

Wind

Wind The sound of whispers in the trees,The calm of summer’s evening breeze, The sound of whispers in the trees,The calm of summer’s evening breeze, The freshness of the gales in spring,All make the weary spirit sing. E’en winter’s blasts in beauty blow,When whirling flakes of pure, white snow. No season stops the mighty wind,No […]

Who Are You?

Who Are You? Can you plunge the depth of seas;Understand the ways of bees; Can you plunge the depth of seas;Understand the ways of bees;Count the waves upon the shore;Or instruct a dinosaur? Did you choose our planet’s course;Or give strength unto the horse?Can you reach up to the sky?Can you cause the hawk to […]