Our faith is not in dead saints' bones, In altars of vain sacrifice; Nor is it in the stately stones That rise in beauty toward the skies. Our faith is in the Christ who walks With men today, in street and mart; The constant Friend who thinks and talks With those who seek him with the heart. We would not spurn the ancient lore, The prophet's word or psalmist's prayer; But lo! our Leader goes before, Tomorrow's battles to prepare. His Gospel calls for living men, With singing blood and minds alert; Strong men, who fall to rise again, Who strive and bleed, with courage girt. We serve no God whose work is done, Who rests within His firmament: Our God, His labors but begun, Toils evermore, with power unspent. God was and is and e'er shall be; Christ lived and loved—and loves us still; And man goes forward, proud and free, God's present purpose to fulfill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BOOKER T. WASHINGTON by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE FIRST DAY: ROBERT OF SICILY by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW COLUMBUS AND THE MAYFLOWER by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 6. SPRING by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM |