A Hidden Life and Other Poems

by George MacDonald

Take of the first fruits, Father, of thy care,
Wrapped in the fresh leaves of my gratitude
Late waked for early gifts ill understood;
Claiming in all my harvests rightful share,
Whether with song that mounts the joyful air
I praise my God; or, in yet deeper mood,
Sit dumb because I know a speechless good,
Needing no voice, but all the soul for prayer.
Thou hast been faithful to my highest need;
And I, thy debtor, ever, evermore,
Shall never feel the grateful burden sore.
Yet most I thank thee, not for any deed,
But for the sense thy living self did breed
That fatherhood is at the great world's core.

Genres: Poetry

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1864

About the author

George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carroll. In addition to his fairy tales, MacDonald wrote several works of Christian theology, including several collections of sermons.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man finds himself at the end of his life and wonders if he had done enough. After going to college, he goes back to work on his father's farm, because, as he says,

"the best I can
for the great world, is, just the best I can
for this my world"
When challenged by a "philanthropist" who said,
"It is not for your gifts
To spend themselves on common labors thus:
You owe the world far nobler things than such"
He answered him: "The world is in God's hands;
This part in mine. Hither my sacred past,
With all its loves inherited, has led;
Here let me fit..."

In thinking back on his life, he says:
“O God! I am but an attempt at life.
Sleep falls again ere I am full awake.
Life goeth from me in the morning hour.

...The high Truth has but flickered in my soul –

...I have not reaped earth’s harvest, O my God;

...Have I aimed proudly, therefore aimed too low,
Striving for something visible in my thought,
And not the unseen thing hid far in thine?

...Ah, make me, Father, anything thou wilt,
So be thou will it! I am safe with thee.
I laugh exulting. Make me something, God;
Clear, sunny, veritable purity
Of high existence, in thyself content,
And seeking for no measures. I have reaped
Earth’s harvest, if I find this holy death.
Now I am ready; take me when thou wilt.”

God is in control of our circumstances, and we are to live in them. There are times when I feel like I am wasting time, and not using the gifts God has given me. I think that is good sometimes, but being content where God has me is more important. He is the one that works, and I live in Him.

Macdonald again talks of God using pain and adversity to make us better people.

Father! We need thy winter as thy spring;
And thy poor children, knowing thy great heart,
And that thou bearest thy large share of grief,
Because thou lovest goodness more than joy
In them thou lovest—so dost let them grieve,
Will cease to vex thee with our peevish cries,
Will lift out eyes and smile, though sorrowful;
Yet not the less pray for thy help, when pain
Is overstrong. Remember our poor hearts.
We never grasp the zenith of the time;
We find no spring except in winter-prayers;
But we believe – nay, Lord we only hope,
That one day we shall thank thee perfectly
For pain and hope and all that led or drove
Us back into the bosom of thy love.

When in the winter, we hope for spring. Many times I shun God's work in this way, wanting instead of a good life, to have an easy life. This is made more difficult when all around, people are saying that the biggest goal of life is to be happy. If you're not happy, you should do what you can to become happy. I have to put that away and realize that the pain in life is meant to show me how weak I am and that there is nothing in this life that can satisfy my need for Him.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed some of his novels and fairy tales, but it was exceedingly difficult to slug through this poetry. I place the fault on my ability (and willingness) to work it through, not with the poet.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound. Joyful.

Today's poetry is often without rhymes. Thanks to Macdonald's joy in God, the singsong rhyming in these poems fits well. These poems are for those with hearts full of devotion.

[Kari Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't finished this one as it was given to me by a preacher and i just stopped reading it. Wasnt bad, just no interest

[Matt Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only work by George Macdonald I had read before this was Phantastes,one of the books said to inspire C.S. Lewis. I wasn't too inspired by that work, but in a bulk of the poems in this collection, capturing the magic in love, nature, and faith itself, I can see whatever I missed in his fiction work. The ballads were especially impressive for their simple but vivid and beautiful stories. At its best in this collection, the magic is there.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've discovered that some of the real George MacDonald treasure is in his poetry.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of Victorian-era Christian inspirational poetry So if you like that sort of thing, you should like this; if not, don't bother reading.