Classic Poem

How shall we make a house of worth
Fit for the Builder of the earth, —
A temple high and broad,
A dwelling for our God?

Build the wide windows fair and high, —
Let in the light of sun and sky;
Shut not the Master's face
Out of His dwelling-place.

Make room for tender Charity,
And Love's unwearying ministry;
Let Patience mild and meek
Her gentle teachings speak.

Build all the doorway arches wide,
Yet make no room for pompous Pride, —
So Vanity and Sin
Shall never enter in.

Let not the false similitude
Of marble shame the honest wood;
Let not Hypocrisy
Within our temple be.

Let not the breath of worldly gain
Its sacred atmosphere profane;
Let Mammon come not near
The souls which worship here.

Let Bigotry, and Fear, and Doubt
Remain forevermore without;
Let not their shadows fall
Within its holy wall.

Lest, when the Christ — as once of yore
He entered at the temple door —
Shall come to see how dim
Our love has grown for him, —

To see how much of good and grace
We've gathered to His dwelling-place,
He speak reproofs, as then,
Against the sins of men,

And grieving, ask us, " Is it well
Within my house to buy and sell?
Behold, my eye perceives
Only a den of thieves! "

No! When, in answer to our prayer,
He comes and walks among us there,
O, may we hear anew,
" My peace I leave with you!

" For in this earthly house of mine
I feel my Father's presence shine;
My children here alway
Live even as they pray! "