So, truest image of the Christ, Old Israel's long-lost son, What time, with sweet forgiving cheer, He call'd his conscious brethren near, Would weep with them alone. He could not trust his melting soul Then why should gentle hearts and true No-let the dainty rose awhile Her bashful fragrance hide Rend not her silken veil too soon, FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. Exodus iii. 3. TH' historic Muse, from age to age, But a celestial call to-day Stays her, like Moses, on her way, Far seen across the sandy wild, He thoughtless roam'd and free, One towering thorn z was wrapt in flame— "Seneb:" said to be a sort of Acacia. Along the mountain ledges green The scatter'd sheep at will may gleam The while, with undivided heart, The shepherd talks with God apart, Ye too, who tend Christ's wildering flock, To watch the fire upon the mount Caught from that blaze by wrath divine, For twice a thousand year. God will not quench nor slay them quite, But lifts them like a beacon light Th' apostate Church to scare : H Or like pale ghosts that darkling roam, Hovering around their ancient home, But find no refuge there. Ye blessed Angels; if of you Oh! say, in all the bleak expanse, A hopeless faith, a homeless race, And owning the true bliss! Salted with fire they seem, to show May undecaying live. Oh! sickening thought! yet hold it fast Long as this glittering world shall last, Or sin at heart survive. a St. Mark ix, 49. And hark! amid the flashing fire, 'Tis Abraham's God who speaks so loud, His people's cries have pierc'd the cloud, He sees, He sees their wrong"; He is come down to break their chain; Shall own Him strong to save. He shall redeem them one by one, Gentiles! with fix'd yet awful eye Turn ye this page of mystery, Exod. iii. 7, 8. |