“ Inasmuch.”
Dear friends, who will not worship
God with me1
But walk apart, in lonesome orphanhood,—2
Not knowing that your lofty thoughts of good3
And brave pursuit of all the good you see4
Bear witness to God’s Spirit in your own :—5
I think it is not He whom you would spurn,6
But that you fail His presence to discern7
For shadow of the World cast on His throne8
Which wins His worshippers. It seems to me9
We need your pardon,—in God’s House who stand10
Smearing His altars with a gold-stained hand11
Till you who search there fail His name to see !12
Brothers, forgive us ! From God’s House you stray,13
Yet to God’s heart have found the nearest way
!14