THE BETA THETA PI. VoL. XI.
NOVEMBER, r883.
No. z,
POEM BEFORE THE 44TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
FRATERNITY, SARATOGA, AUG.
I.
When God, from out the lightning and the thunder, Upon tlie mountain's brow, Gave to the prophet that great law whereunder His chosen ones must bowWrit higher in that Scripture's sacred story, And held by Him above All other law- shone in resplendent glory The sweet, strong law of Love.
II. When the sad, passionate twilight shadows blending Closed down the mountain-side Whereon the sacrificial blood was spending When Christ was crucified, The last words ever borne to ear of mortals There from God's wounded Dove, Before He passed up through the sinless portals, Breathed the sweet thought of Love. III. From orange groves, from vine-clad hills of summer, From colder northern lands : From the blue waves that softly sing and murmur On Californian sands; Here, in obedience to that law of heaven, Perfect, divine, completeThat mandate to the world of her God- given, Bound in love's chains we meet!
IV. With full hearts beating high with exultation· For the fair land which stands A sign for age from nation unto nation Over all other lands, From mountain wilds, from immemorial rivers, From inland and from sea, We meet to give thanks to the Prince of Givers That He hath made us free.
30, 1883".