DEBORAH'S HYMN OF TRIUMPH. Then stamped the clattering hoofs of prancing horses Curse ye Meroz, saith the angel of the Lord, Above all women blest be Jael, Heber the Kenite's wife, Over all the women blest, that dwell in tents. Water he asked-she gave him milk, Her right hand to the workman's hammer- At her feet he bow'd; he fell; Where he bow'd, there he fell dead. From the window she looked forth, she cried, Yea, she herself gave answer to herself— To Sisera a many-coloured robe, 203 A many-coloured robe and richly broider'd, Thus perish all thine enemies, Jehovah! And those who love thee, like the sun shine forth, The sun in all his glory. THE VOICE OF GOD. EMILY TAYLOR. And the Lord came, and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel." Samuel answered, "Speak; for thy servant heareth."-1 SAMUEL iii. 10. "SPEAK, Lord!" the youthful prophet humbly cried; And instant, hark! the Voice Divine replies, Its will declares,— No other ear in all that temple's round He comes no more to rouse the outward ear At dead of night; No fearful dream his purposed act makes clear, But wheresoe'er man seeks to meet him, still A voice is near him whispering of his will, Then And ever as he calls on God to "speak," That inward voice will nature's silence break. Yes, Christian, He whose voice then spoke on earth, Still speaks to thee; Whether in sweetest music warbling forth From every tree, Or in the stillness of the evening hour, Be thine to answer, "Speak, thy servant hears." In all thy varying portion in the strife Or when sweet gleamings of a better life When hard the conflict, dim the distant end, Or when the page of truth, before thee spreads And some reviving promise round thee sheds There speaks the Gospel Author: to that word, Bend, meekly bend, a still, attentive ear: 'Tis his to speak; with reverence thine to hear. THE VOICE OF GOD. Thankful for this, thy destined path pursue, Till faith, while glory bursts upon the view, Till then, with ever-wakeful care abide By the least whispers of thy heavenly Guide; 207 |