The Road

THE ROAD
Carl H. Claudy

So many men before thy Altars kneel
Unthinkingly, to promise brotherhood:
So few remain, humbly to kiss thy rood
With ears undeafened to thy mute appeal;
So many find thy symbols less than real
Their teachings mystic,--hard to understand;
So few there are, in all thy far flung band
To hold thy banner high and draw thy steel,
And yet--immortal and most mighty, thou!
What hath thy lore of life, to let it live?
What is the vital spark, hid in thy vow?
Thy millions learned, as thy dear paths they trod,
The secret of the strength thou hast to give;
"I am a way of common men to God."