Lift the building fair and strong, Sink its pillars firm and sure, Crown its cornices with song, Frame its portals to endure. What shall be the corner-stone? Jesus Christ and He alone. Prophets and apostles all, Workers faithful, workers true, They have wrought upon the wall, Building better than they knew. They are not the corner-stone: It is Jesus Christ alone. Yes, and he whose flaming soul Planned it all with loving skill, He who labored on the whole, And who leads the workers still, -- He is not the corner-stone: It is Jesus Christ alone. Jesus Christ, whose will august Is our life and truth and way; Jesus Christ, in whom we trust For the power to obey, -- Jesus Christ, and He alone, Is the building's corner-stone. Jesus Christ, whose boundless love Binds the youth of every land, With a tie all strife above, Into one united band, Him with brother hearts we own Our unbroken corner stone. Jesus Christ, the shepherd true Of the sheep of many folds, Who in one benignant view All His differing churches holds, Him with comrade hearts we own Our unsevered corner-stone. Jesus Christ, who bids us go Or unresting stay behind, Till the field or face the foe With the same courageous mind, As Endeavor's guide we own Christ, the four-square corner-stone. Framed in Jesus, fitly framed May the noble building rise, Temple of the Lord acclaimed, Of the earth and of the skies, All its fair proportions grown Out of Christ, its corner-stone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW TO BE A POET (TO REMIND MYSELF) by WENDELL BERRY THE WOMEN WITH FABLED HAIR by MADELINE DEFREES HOW THEY GO ON by JAMES GALVIN SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: J. MILTON MILES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TO MAKE A PRAIRIE by EMILY DICKINSON ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 39 by PHILIP SIDNEY |