"Tis thine our gracious promise, Lord! And homeward to thy Father's throne, Thy shadowy car went soaring on ; They track'd Thee up th' abyss of light. Thou bidst rejoice; they dare not mourn, The splendours of his crowning day, In doubt they wait, but not unblest ; But in ecstatic awe they muse What course the genial stream may choose, And far and wide their fancies rove, And to their height of wonder strain, What secret miracle of love Should make their Saviour's going gain. The days of hope and prayer are past, Roll back, and lo! a royal train- Swiftly and straight each tongue of flame On some meek brow of Jesus blest. And still those lambent lightnings stream; Where'er the Lord is, there are they; Zeal to inflame, and vice consume. Soft as the plumes of Jesus' Dove The pure flame spreading high and low. Said I, that prayer and hope were o'er? Nay, blessed Spirit! but by Thee Sinner's The Church's prayer finds wings to soar, The Church's hope finds eyes to see. Sinner's Then, fainting soul, arise and sing; Mount, but be sober on the wing; Mount up, for Heaven is won by prayer, Thy God hath said, 'Tis good for thee Take it on trust a little while; Soon shalt thou read the mystery right Or if thou yet more knowledge crave, Else we should all sin on or sleep With Christ in sight, turning our gain to loss. FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. ROGATION SUNDAY. And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time. Deut. ix. 20. Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why he stays below: Deep is the silence as of summer noon, Will trickle soon, A gracious rain, freshening the weary bower O sweetly then far off is heard The clear note of some lonely bird. |