While the faithless and unstable We around Thy heaven-sent table Fill our week, both toil and rest. Comrades, what our sires have told us- In a new and vernal Home : Earth will feed us From her own benignant womb. We beside the wondrous river In the appointed hour shall stand, Following, as from Egypt ever, Thy bright Cloud and outstretched Hand : In Thy shadow We shall rest, on Abraham's land. Song of the Manna-Gatherers. Not by manna showers at morning Year by year our murmurings chide. There, no prophet's touch awaiting, In our dreams, with thirsty heart. Oh, when travel-toils are over, All our guardian Angels hover, Is not heavenly Mercy's best. 233 Know ye not, our glorious Leader Israel's guide and nurse and feeder Israel's hope from far must eye, Then departing Find a worthier throne on high. Dimly shall fond Fancy trace him, Dim though sweet her dreams shall prove, Wondering what high Powers embrace him, Where in light he walks above, Where in silence Sleeping, hallows heath or grove. Deeps of blessing are before us: Only, while the desert sky And the sheltering cloud hang o'er us, Morn by morn, obediently, Glean we Manna, And the song of Moses try. Lessons of Grace. 235 3. THE GIBEONITES. "I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them, neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them." "BEHOLD me, Lord, a worthless Gibeonite, The deadlier sure the guilt, the doom more drear, 66 Go, shamed and scared, seek Joshua in thy need, Their voice hath power to stay the sun, and win But when their prayer hath laid the Tempter low, His corse, unpitying, in the dark cave's side; And thou in sevenfold guilt thy heart's backsliding rue." |