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Poem
May 3, 1874
New Orleans Republican
New Orleans, Orleans County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
A devotional poem asserting that true Christian grace lies in charity and love for humanity, dismissing selfish piety without action as vain.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
C. S. N. A. OR C. R. E. D.
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 centre is not, can there be
A circumference?
This I moreover hold, and dare
Affirm where'er my rhyme may go;
Whatever things be swift or fair,
Love makes them so.
Whether it be the lullaby
That charm to rest the nursling bird,
Or that 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
For stubborn fast, nor stated prayers,
That makes us saints; we judge the tree
By what it bears.
And when a man can live apart
From works, on theological trust,
I know the blood about his heart
Is dry as dust.
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 centre is not, can there be
A circumference?
This I moreover hold, and dare
Affirm where'er my rhyme may go;
Whatever things be swift or fair,
Love makes them so.
Whether it be the lullaby
That charm to rest the nursling bird,
Or that 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
For stubborn fast, nor stated prayers,
That makes us saints; we judge the tree
By what it bears.
And when a man can live apart
From works, on theological 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
Credo
Poem Details
Title
C. S. N. A. Or C. R. E. D.
Subject
Creed On Christian Grace And Charity
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
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 Centre Is Not, Can There Be
A Circumference?
'Tis Not The Wide Phylactery
For Stubborn Fast, Nor Stated Prayers,
That Makes Us Saints; We Judge The Tree
By What It Bears.