Faith and Doubt

Where it surfaces

• Four Things

  The final line emphasizes trusting in God and Heaven securely, a core expression of faith.

• In Memoriam

  The soul at strife learns to kiss the rod, moving through doubt to a higher faith.

• Peace

  The speaker's initial doubt and desperate cry to Heaven are resolved by an act of faith in accepting 'His will be done.'

• Chant of the Northmen at the Thunder-Oak

  The Northmen's chant reflects a fervent pagan faith in Thor's power, seeking to appease him through sacrifice and ransom.

• Chant of the Magi at the Fire-Altar

  The Magi express unwavering faith in Mazda, seeking cleansing from falsehood and evil, and praying for light to overcome darkness and sadness.

• Song of a Pilgrim-Soul

  The path is one of faith, and creeds are seen as milestones toward Truth, balancing belief with ongoing seeking.

• To the Child Jesus

  The poem suggests that seeing Jesus as a human child would dispel the age of doubt, restoring faith and innocence.

• The Bargain

  The bargaining process reflects a testing of faith, culminating in the complete trust of giving the heart.

• The Master's Voice

  The narrator struggles with doubt and sin but finds comfort and courage through faith in the Master's voice.

• Bitter-Sweet

  The bitter lesson of doubt and uncertainty is set against the sweet hope and trust in a loving providence.

• The Way

  The poem contrasts the certainty of following a path with the uncertainty of wandering in love, yet affirms that God will ultimately bring the loving wanderer to the goal.

• Mercy for Armenia

  The poem contrasts the false faith of the Sultan's cruel mercy with the true faith that calls for compassionate action.

• The Builders

  Contrasts the fleeting nature of human works with the eternal stability of faith, urging trust in God as the true foundation.

• Vera

  Vera doubts the meaning of the world and questions the Master, but through faith she receives an answer that transcends human uncertainty.

• Another Chance

  The speaker acknowledges religion and creeds but criticizes half-hearted faith, vowing to live a true Christian life.

• Ode to Peace

  The speaker moves from doubt and desperate striving to faith, finding peace in acceptance of God's will.

• God of the Open Air

  The poem contrasts the lost 'child-like love that worshipped and was sure' with the modern condition where men have 'dimmed the light of heaven with doubt' and built creeds that shut God out.

• A Legend of Service

  Bernol and Malvin doubt the divine command with 'why?' and 'how?', while Fermor's unquestioning faith earns the crown.

• Reliance

  The poem contrasts human weakness with divine strength, emphasizing that faith, not human merit, leads to grace.

• For the Friends at Hurstmont

  The roof of Faith is built above, and the house shall never fall despite storms.

• The Monument of Francis Makemie

  Makemie's teaching of truth that leaves men unafraid of tyranny or death reflects steadfast faith.

• Stars and the Soul

  The human soul feels an immortal spark and thinks God's thoughts, affirming faith in divine order.

• Sicily, December, 1908

  The speaker questions whether nature is a strife of jealous powers and man a plaything of fate, but resolves with trust in God's reign.

• The Great Cities

  The narrator questions why God allowed man to build towns, and God's answer reaffirms divine purpose, exploring the tension between human suffering and divine wisdom.

• The Broken Sword

  The speaker's unwavering faith in God despite defeat and abandonment.

• The Unseen Altar

  Contrasts the altars of ignorance built by those who know not God with the hidden altar of the lowly heart where true faith finds pardon.

• The Good Teacher

  The speaker expresses trust in the Lord's patient teaching despite personal weakness and hard lessons.

• The Grand Canyon

  The narrator wrestles with existential doubt, questioning if the canyon is merely a product of blind forces, but ultimately reaffirms faith in a purposeful Creator.

• Texas

  Expresses faith in truth, beauty, God, and the New Democracy, while acknowledging the mystery of life and the need for trust in a sovereign will.

• Peace-Hymn of the Republic

  Expresses faith in God's providence and the hope for righteous governance.

• Three Prayers for Sleep and Waking

  The prayers express trust in divine care during vulnerable times of sleep and uncertainty.

• How Spring Comes to Shasta Jim

  The speaker acknowledges 'Someone' who made the natural facts of spring, suggesting a quiet, grounded faith in a Creator, while dismissing 'red gods' and 'Pan' as false.

• A Ballad of Santa Claus

  St. Nicholas's steadfast faith is highlighted when he calms a storm through prayer, contrasting with the sailors' panic.

• A Scrap of Paper

  The poem invokes God's defense of the right and compares the scrap of paper to Holy Writ, grounding the resolve in faith.

• Stand Fast

  The poem expresses faith in the righteousness of the cause and the unity of the British people, contrasting with the darkness of the enemy.

• Lights Out

  The speaker expresses doubt in humanity's progress and faith in a divine intervention to end the madness.

• Remarks About Kings

  God's initial weariness and final silent smile suggest a divine perspective on human political folly, blending faith in a higher order with doubt about human wisdom.

• The Bells of Malines

  The holy hymns and bell names like 'Jesu' and 'Maria' invoke faith as a source of strength in the face of war and destruction.

• Come Back Again, Jeanne d’Arc

  The contrast between the people's lack of faith and Jeanne's unwavering trust in God.

• Righteous Wrath

  Invokes divine cleansing indignation and a moral struggle against those who hate the Lord.

• The Signs

  Each sign is interpreted as a divine lesson, reinforcing faith in a purposeful universe.

• Easter Road

  The speaker affirms faith in Christ's victory over death and darkness, even amid the terror of war.

• Voyagers

  Despite unknown tides, fogs, and storms, the voyagers affirm trust in God, overcoming doubt with faith.

• The Burning Bush

  The prayer expresses trust in God despite human formation from dust, and asks for the grace to see the living flame, reflecting a movement from doubt to faith.

• Children in the Market-Place

  The chapter emphasizes faith as a sword and hope as a star, contrasting childish weariness with steadfast belief.

• Jesus Return

  References to 'doubt and conflict' and 'lamps that dimly burn' highlight the struggle between faith and uncertainty.

• Foundations

  The hymn contrasts human confusion and ancient error with the steadfastness of God, Christ, and Truth, urging confidence in divine permanence.

• Victoria

  The call to be 'Knights of the Holy Ghost' reflects a steadfast faith in divine triumph.

• Who Follow the Flag

  Contrasts firm faith in God and trust in humanity with the doubt raised by social injustices like child labor.

• Christ Our Comrade

  The poem expresses unwavering faith in Christ as guide and redeemer, pledging to trust and follow Him.