The Doctrine of the Trinity

Three hundred Bishops far and near were made devoutly glad

When Constantine-their new formed head-at Nice a council had.

In preparation each had planned fresh logic and advice,

Strengthened their creed with careful phrase and arguments concise,

Their dearest dogma deftly framed, what wonder it was Nice?

Should parist say-as some one may-it was not Nice but Neece

That suits precisely, and in sooth, rhymes smoothly with caprice.

Caprice? Aye, ‘twas absurdity to claim that three are one.

What! Try to prove of equal age the Father and the Son?

When councils Ecumenical allege that blue is green,

The color blind at once affirm that ‘tis most plainly seen!

E’en immortality they claim for those who sin and die,

And thus endorse with noisy zeal the subtle serpent’s lie.

Blinded, they downward lead the blind; who hold such vain decrees,

Such fancied views of earth and heaven perverted vision please.

Be moved for them our grief profound who hug delusion so;

With truth, O Lord, their eyes anoint that truth they yet may know.

Eliza Verplank Bennet, of Waterloo, Iowa

Published in The Christadelphian Advocate, March 1953, p 61.