Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

Sand and gravel lie still on the bed of the river.
Peaks like spear-points pierce the clouds on either shore.
Fishing rafts and a passenger boat move through the stream,
surprising reflections awake as from a dream.

Whence come these mountain songs, this laughing talk?
Surely this is Heaven in the world of man.
Swiftly a fish eagle dives to the riverbed;
an egret softly sings, turning her head.

Dear Reader,

You have a decision to make: double or nothing.

For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.

In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.

So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?

Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
GIVE NOW