Abu Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold
And to the presence in his room he said
'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered: 'The names of those who love the Lord
'And is mine one?' said Abu. 'Nay not so'
Replied the Angel: Abu spoke more low
But cheerily still and said 'I pray thee then
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'
The angel wrote and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great awakening light
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed.
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."
This well known verse written by 19th century poet James Henry Leigh Hunt, makes the point that true love of God and true love of our fellow human being are like two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other.
May God Bless us all.
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace
And saw, within the moonlight of his room
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold
And to the presence in his room he said
'What writest thou?' The vision raised its head
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered: 'The names of those who love the Lord
'And is mine one?' said Abu. 'Nay not so'
Replied the Angel: Abu spoke more low
But cheerily still and said 'I pray thee then
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'
The angel wrote and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great awakening light
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed.
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."
This well known verse written by 19th century poet James Henry Leigh Hunt, makes the point that true love of God and true love of our fellow human being are like two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other.
May God Bless us all.
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