OTHER SHEEP.
Reading edition
Pagan, Papist, Protestant!
What is that to thee or me?
Make not Heaven’s mercy scant
With thy pampered bigotry.
Who made thee the judge to be
Of thy brother’s destiny?
Deem not that thy shibboleth
Holds the keys of life and death.
Ah, that secret, sullen sign!
Call it not decree divine;
For a letter, more, or less,
Measures not God’s tenderness.
“Other sheep I have,” said One
Who was more than Mary’s son;—
Eyes as blind as thine shall see
His amazing charity.
56When it claims the judgment-throne,
What is creed but craft and cant?
God will surely know His own:—
Pagan, Papist, Protestant.
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BY MANY PATHS.
By many names the one true God is known;
By many shrines man’s faith in Him is shown;—
Varuna, Vishnu, Agni, Indra,—One!
As stars confess the all-sustaining sun.
By many paths true, humble hearts are brought
At last to Him whom they in darkness sought.
All lands alike the Father’s mercies share;
No age was ever orphaned of His care;—
For souls sincere, forever has sufficed
The boundless merit of the blessed Christ;
And over all forever shall extend
The love that knows no measure and no end.
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