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Poem
October 14, 1915
Springfield Weekly Republican
Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Alice Cary's 'My Creed' asserts that true Christian grace stems from charity and love for humanity, dismissing selfish piety and emphasizing actions over rituals.
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Full Text
FROM THE GOLDEN BOOKS
My Creed
[Alice Cary.]
I hold that Christian grace abounds
Where charity is seen; that when
We climb to heaven; 'tis on the rounds
Of love to men.
I hold all else, named piety
A selfish scheme, a vain pretense;
Where center is not, can there be
Circumference?
This I moreover hold, and dare
Affirm where'er my rhyme may go,-
Whatever things be sweet and fair,
Love makes them so.
Whether it be the lullabies
That charm to rest the nestling bird,
Or the sweet confidence of sighs
And blushes, made without a word;
Whether the dazzling and the flush
Of softly sumptuous garden bowers,
Or by some cabin'door, a bush
Of ragged flowers.
'Tis not the wide phylactery
Nor stubborn fast, nor stated prayers,
That make us saints: we judge the tree
By what it bears.
And when a man can live apart
From works, on theologic trust,
I know the blood about his heart
Is dry as dust.
My Creed
[Alice Cary.]
I hold that Christian grace abounds
Where charity is seen; that when
We climb to heaven; 'tis on the rounds
Of love to men.
I hold all else, named piety
A selfish scheme, a vain pretense;
Where center is not, can there be
Circumference?
This I moreover hold, and dare
Affirm where'er my rhyme may go,-
Whatever things be sweet and fair,
Love makes them so.
Whether it be the lullabies
That charm to rest the nestling bird,
Or the sweet confidence of sighs
And blushes, made without a word;
Whether the dazzling and the flush
Of softly sumptuous garden bowers,
Or by some cabin'door, a bush
Of ragged flowers.
'Tis not the wide phylactery
Nor stubborn fast, nor stated prayers,
That make us saints: we judge the tree
By what it bears.
And when a man can live apart
From works, on theologic trust,
I know the blood about his heart
Is dry as dust.
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Christian Grace
Charity
Love To Men
Piety
Moral Creed
What entities or persons were involved?
Alice Cary
Poem Details
Title
My Creed
Author
Alice Cary
Subject
Creed On Christian Grace And Charity
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
I Hold That Christian Grace Abounds
Where Charity Is Seen; That When
We Climb To Heaven; 'Tis On The Rounds
Of Love To Men.
I Hold All Else, Named Piety
A Selfish Scheme, A Vain Pretense;
Where Center Is Not, Can There Be
Circumference?
Whatever Things Be Sweet And Fair,
Love Makes Them So.
'Tis Not The Wide Phylactery
Nor Stubborn Fast, Nor Stated Prayers,
That Make Us Saints: We Judge The Tree
By What It Bears.
And When A Man Can Live Apart
From Works, On Theologic Trust,
I Know The Blood About His Heart
Is Dry As Dust.