C. 295
Thus spake, inspired, our holy Prophet,
Muhammad, on whom we invoke God’s blessings
For ever and ever ;—we who are heirs
To his teaching, his exemplary life,
And the golden thread which he inwove
Into the web of human history.
In pious retreats he prayed ; much thought
He gave to Life’s most obstinate tangles ;
‘Gainst odds he strove with might and main ;
Wisely he led ; gently he counselled ;
And firmly he subduéd Evil.
C. 296
Mantle-clad, he solved the most baffing
Mysteries. His soul would scale
The heights of Heaven, yet showered its love
On the weak and lowly of this earth.
Like a cloud that catches the glory of the Sun,
He threw his protecting shade on all.
The widow’s cry, and the orphan’s, found
An answer in his heart, as did
The cry of Penury and Need.
He searched out those who felt no need,
Being by pride or ignorance blinded,
And he fulfilled their real wants.
His last great charge summed up the rule
Of spiritual life in linking Faith
With one universal Brotherhood.
Ah ! ne’er shall we see such life again !
C. 297
But his clarion voice still speaks his message.
His love and wisdom still pour forth
Without stint the inexhaustible Treasures
Of God, for whosoe’er will bring
A purified heart to receive them.
And ne’er did the world, impoverishéd
By its own wayward lusts and greed,
Need those Treasures more than now .
C. 298
There’s still with us much sorrow and sin,
Injustice, oppression, wrong, and hate.
Still does Arrogance deaden Conscience,
Rob struggling souls of e’en the crumbs
Of Pity, and make, of loathsome flesh
And crumbling dust, fair-seeming Idols
For worship. Still does Ignorance blow
A mighty Horn and try to shame
True Wisdom. Still do men drive Slaves,——
Protesting smoothly the end of Slavery !
Still does Greed devour the substance
Of helpless ones within her power.
Nay, more,—the fine Individual Voice
Is smothered in the raucous din
Of Groups and Crowds that madly shout
What they call Slogans New,—
Old Falsehoods long discredited
C. 299
What can we do to make God’s Light
Shine forth through the Darkness around us ?
We must first let it shine in our own true Selves
With that Light in the niche of our inmost hearts
We can walk with steps both firm and sure :
We can humbly visit the comfortless
And guide their steps. Not we, but the Light
Will guide ! But Oh ! the joy of being found
Worthy to bear the Torch, and to say
To our brethren : “ I too was in Darkness,
Comfortless, and behold, I have found
Comfort and Joy in the Grace Divine !”
C. 300
Thus should we pay the dues of Brotherhood,—
By walking humbly, side by side,
In the Ways of the Lord,
With mutual aid and comfort,
And heartfelt prayer,
Backed by action,
That God’s good Purpose
May be accomplished
In us all together !
