Shadow and Substance
What have we lost with our lost Heaven and Hell?
Have sacred faith and worship come to naught?
Is life no more with noble meaning fraught?
Is it not still a thing ineffable,
Beyond what mind can grasp or tongue may tell—
Beyond all mystery by sages taught,
All greatest wonders by Messiah wrought—
The one first, last, divinest miracle!
Let selfish hopes, with old myths, pass away.
Though creeds must go, the God of all remains,
And more and more His might upholds and awes.
Revealed in Nature’s universal laws;
And more and more true love its crown attains,
And our good world grows better day by day.
