Brother, come! And let us go unto our God. And when we stand before Him I shall say-- “Lord, I do not hate, I am hated. I scourge no one, I am scourged. I covet no lands, My lands are coveted. I mock no peoples, My people are mocked.” And, brother, what shall you say? THE BAND OF GIDEON The band of Gideon roam the sky, The howling wind is their war-cry, The thunder’s role is their trump’s peal, And the lightning’s flash their vengeful steel. Each black cloud Is a fiery steed. And they cry aloud With each strong deed, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” And men below rear temples high And mock their God with reasons why, And live in arrogance, sin and shame, And rape their souls for the world’s good name. Each black cloud Is a fiery steed. And they cry aloud With each strong deed, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” The band of Gideon roam the sky, And view the earth with baleful eye; In holy wrath they scourge the land With earth-quake, storm and burning brand. Each black cloud Is a fiery steed. And they cry aloud With each strong deed, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” The lightnings flash and the thunders roll, And “Lord have mercy on my soul,” Cry men as they fall on the stricken sod, In agony searching for their God. Each black cloud Is a fiery steed. And they cry aloud With each strong deed, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” And men repent and then forget That heavenly wrath they ever met, The band of Gideon yet will come And strike their tongues of blasphemy dumb. Each black cloud Is a fiery steed. And they cry aloud With each strong deed, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” BLANCHE TAYLOR DICKINSON I was born on a farm near Franklin, Kentucky, April 15, 1896, and received my education variously ... public schools, Bowling Green Academy, Simmon’s University and Summer schools. No degree. Taught for several years in my native state. I am a lover of music and divide my time between the typewriter and piano. First published in _Franklin Favorite_, later, _Louisville Leader_, _Chicago Defender_, _Pittsburgh Courier_, _Crisis_, _Opportunity_ and _Wayfarer_. My favorite poets are Countee Cullen, Georgia Douglas Johnson and Edna St. Vincent Millay; my favorite past-time, walking along a crowded street. I have a hunch that I shall become a short story writer and my favorite exertion is trying to perfect my “technique.” At present I am living in Sewickley, Penna. THE WALLS OF JERICHO Jericho is on the inside Of the things the world likes best; “We want in,” the dark ones cried, “We will love it as the rest.”