4. DAVID'S CHILDHOOD. "Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." CHRISTIAN child, whoe'er thou be, Purer oil than David knew, Mingling with baptismal dew, Heaven hath dropped on thee. Strength is given thee, watch to keep Thine own soul to watch in fear :- When the Lion and the Bear, Childish Pride and childish Wrath, Lay athwart thy morning path, Thou didst win by prayer. Now a mightier foe is nigh; Holy hands for a new strife Thee have stored with ampler life: Not with sword and shield and lance, But with charm-words from our Book, Gems from our baptismal Brook, Meet his stern advance. He through every gate of sense, Seek thou strong defence. Guard in time those portals five With the smooth stones from the Fount, With the Law from God's own Mount: Keep thy staff, the Cross, in hand: By the word of Faith laid low, Mark and use the trial-hour: When his whispers nearest sound, Stripling though thou be, and frail, 5. ELIJAH AT SAREPTA. "Make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son." Lo, cast at random on the wild sea sand A child low wailing lies: Around, with eye forlorn and feeble hand, Scarce heeding its faint cries, The widowed mother in the wilderness Gathers dry boughs, their last sad meal to dress. But who is this that comes with mantle rude And vigil-wasted air? Who to the famished cries, "Come give me food, She bounteous gives: but hard he seems of heart, Who of such scanty store would crave a part. Haply the child his little hand holds forth, 'That all his own may be. Nay, simple one, thy mother's faith is worth Healing and life to thee. That handful given, for years ensures thee bread; For in yon haggard form He begs unseen, To Whom for life we kneel: One little cake He asks with lowly mien, Who blesses every meal. Lavish for Him, ye poor, your children's store, And thou, dear child, though hungering, give glad way TO JESUS in His need: So thy blest mother at the awful day Thy name in Heaven may read ; So by His touch for ever mayst thou live, Who asks our alms, and lends a heart to give. |