sensitive response to the spirit and language
of the prayer.

TREATMENT

The teacher should read the poem aloud, to awaken respect for the deep
humility, complete open-mindedness, and growing faith of the poet.

What may this poem be called? A prayer for
guidance.

Stanza I

What are the poet's feelings? He feels very
much depressed in spirit, as a traveller would
who was far from home and alone in the
gathering darkness.

Whom does he address as "Kindly Light"? Why
does he use the term "Light"? He may remember
that our Saviour called Himself "the Light of
the world", and it is as his "Light" or Guide
that the traveller feels his need of Him. He
may be thinking of the Pillar of Fire and the
Pillar of Cloud.

What image is suggested by the words "Lead,
kindly Light"? It suggests something that has
life (moves on before), and sheds a beneficent
light on the travellers' path.

What is meant by the "gloom"? It means the
condition of his mind. He is seeking Truth and
feels that he cannot rely on reason alone to
guide him.

What do the last two lines show about him? They
show that he is humble and is content to be
guided through the darkness "one step" at a
time.

Stanza II

What more do we learn about his life in the
second stanza? In what language is his former
"pride" contrasted with his present humility?
What is the meaning of "garish"? What part of
his life is called "the garish day"? Why is it
so called?

NOTE.--"Garish" means dazzling, and by "garish day" is meant the earlier
care-free years when life seemed all brightness and the author felt
perfectly certain of his ability to take care of himself.

What at times disturbed his life, even in those
"past years"? What made him hide these fears?
What is meant by saying "Pride ruled my will"?
What now is his prayer concerning these years?
Why does he want them put out of remembrance?

What is the relation of the second stanza to
the first one? It contrasts the author's
earlier attitude of mind toward God with what
it is in later years, thus emphasizing the
great change that has taken place in his life.

Compare