Newark post., 1910-11-09


with hun several years ago through
his God OF the Open .ir.
feel, though, this poem may not
impress you as it did me, the sur
roundiugs are SO different 1t mas been
my pleasure and privilege to camp for
several summers with party OF
Friends" Friends in creed as well as
in deed" Two summers we camped
on an island in the beautiful Lake
George. We were remote from
church or meetng-thcn too, Gods
First Temples" were more in keeping
with our camp lie--so it was Our GUS
tom to gather First Day mornings,
in some beautiful, sheltered, shaded
place, for quiet hour" 1t was on
such an occasion that one OF our
Friends recited VanDyke's God OF
the Open Air" from which the follow
ing extracts are taken
"Thou who hast made thy dwelling fair
With flowers beneath, above with
starry lights,
And set thine a.tars everywhere
On mountain heights.
In woodlands dim with many a dream,
In valleys bright with springs,
And on the curying capes OF every
stream:
Thou who hast taken to thyseli the
wings
Of morning. to abide
Upon the secret places of the sea,
And on far islands where the tide
Visits the beauty OF untroddcn shores,
Waiting for worshippers to come to
thee
In thy great out-of-doors!
To thee l turn, to thee | make my
prayer.
God OF the tpen air"
"From the prison oi anxious thought
that greed has builded,
From the letters that envy has wrought
and pride has guided,
From the noise oi the crowded ways
and the fierce confusion,
From the folly that wastes its days i'll
world OF illusion,
(Ah, but the life is lost that frets and
languishes thereD
] would escape and be free in the JOY
of the open air.
"By the breadth OF the blue that shines
in silence DER me,
By the length OF the mountain lines
that stretch before me,
By the height OF the cloud that sails
with rest in motion,
Over the plains and valess to the
measureless ocean,
IOh, how the sight OF things that are
great erlarges the eyesD
Lead me out )f the narrow life, to The
peace o. the hills and the skies
while the II smu4ous leaiy maze ol
the woodland IS spreading.
And the bloom on the meadow betray'
wnere May mas been treadng
While the birds on the branches above
and the brooks flowing under,
Are singing together OF io,e III
worlu iull OF wonder,
(Lo. IN the marvel OF Springtime
dreams are changed into truth!
Quicken my neart, and restore th'
beautIiu hopes OF youth.
BY the faith that the flowers SHOW
when they bloom unbidden,
By the cam Oh the river flow to
goa that is hidden,
BY the trust ot the lrec tnat c.ings t.
its deep foundation,
By the courage OF wild birds wing
on the long migration,
(Wonderiul secret o, peace that abide
III Natures breastD
Teach me how to conhde and live m
life, and rest.
For the comforting warmth oi tn
sun that my body embraces,
For the cool OF the waters that ru
through the shadowy places,
For the balm of the breezes tha
brush my lace with their finger:
For the vesper-hymn OF the thrus
when the twilight fingers,
For the long breath, the deep breatl
the breath OF heart withou
] will give thanks and adore thee
God OF the open air!
These are the gifts | ask
OF thee. Spirit serene:
Strength for the daily task,
Courage to face the road,
Good cheer to help me bear the tray
GERS load,
And, for the hours OF rest that com
between,
An inward Joy in all things heard all
seen.
These are the sins | iain
Would have thee take away
Malice, and cold disdain,
Hot anger, sullen hate,
Scorn OF the lovely, envy of the srea
And discomfort that casts snado
gray
On all the brightness of the comino
day.
These are the things | prize
And hold OF dearest worth
Light OF the sapphire skies,
Peace Of the silent hills,
Shelter of forests. comfort OF IN
grass, ..