Classic Poem

DEAR God ! these narrow, mouthing fools,
Who mewling prate their puny creeds—
These babes from theologic schools,
Who tell a throbbing world its needs.

They howl and whine of Greek and Jew,
Of fiends below and saints above;
They rave a thousand tirades through
Without a syllable of Love.

But creed, and creed, and creed, and creed,
That stifles heart, and soul, and mind;
Out of Thy goodness and their need,
Teach them the gospel of the kind.

Thy myriad races mercy sue,
But here and there a solemn clown,
Claims heaven only for the few
Within his little tribe and town.

Dear God! Dear God! in Thy vast grace,
Who art the Father of a Host,
Shall these blind zealots see Thy face,—
And countless, loving billions lost?