John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)
They fail to read clearly the signs of the times who do not see that the hour is coming when, under the searching eye of philosophy and the terrible analysis of science, the letter and the outward evidence will not altogether avail us; when the surest dependence must be upon the Light of Christ within, disclosing the law and the prophets in our own souls, and confirming the truth of outward Scripture by inward experience; when smooth stones from the brook of present revelation shall prove mightier than the weapons of Saul; when the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, as proclaimed by George Fox and lived by John Woolman, shall be recognized as the only efficient solvent of doubts by an age of restless inquiry.
John Greenleaf Whittier: The writings, 1888-9, vol. 7, p. 313. Letter to "The Friends Review," 1870.
In calm and cool and silence, once again
I find my old accustomed place among
My brethren, where, perchance, no human tongue
Shall utter words; where never hymn is sung,
Nor deep-toned organ blown, nor censer swung;Nor dim light falling through the pictured pane!
There, syllabled by silence, let me hear
The still small voice which reached the prophet's ear;
Read in my heart a still diviner law
Than Israel's leader on his tables saw!There let me strive with each besetting sin,
Recall my wandering fancies, and restrain
The sore disquiet of a restless brain;
And, as the path of duty is made plain,May grace be given that I may walk therein,
Not like the hireling, for his selfish gain,
With backward glances and reluctant tread,
Making a merit of his coward dread,
But, cheerful, in the light around me thrown,
Walking as one to pleasant service led;
Doing God's will as if it were my own,
Yet trusting not in mine, but in His strength alone!John Greenleaf Whittier: Complete poetical works, 1894, p. 433. "First-day thoughts," written 1852.
I bow my forehead to the dust,
I veil mine eyes for shame,
And urge, in trembling self-distrust,
A prayer without a claim.I see the wrong that round me lies,
I feel the guilt within;
I hear, with groan and travail-cries,
The world confess its sin.Yet, in the maddening maze of things,
And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings;
I know that God is good!I long for household voices gone,
For vanished smiles I long,
But God hath led my dear ones on,
And He can do no wrong.I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
His mercy underlies.No offering of my own I have,
Nor works my faith to prove;
I can but give the gifts He gave,
And plead His love for love.And so beside the Silent Sea
I wait the muffled oar;
No harm from Him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.Ibid., p. 442. "The eternal goodness," written 1865.