Heavenly Teaching

The selfish heart for wisdom looks 

In earth's dim leaves and moldering books; 

The holy heart its light doth find 

In God's great light and living Mind.

The holy heart, of love compact, 

With love in every thought and act, 

Doth find, within, the Teacher true, 

With thoughts and lessons ever new.

The secret whispers, inly heard, 

The voice, of the "Eternal Word," 

Surpass in wisdom, far, the reach 

Of what poor earthly schoolmen teach.

Oh WISDOM, coming from above, 

The eldest born, the child of LOVE, 

Be Thou our book, our living page, 

To guide us through earth's pilgrimage.

— Christ in the Soul (1872) XLIX.