150
ON THE MIRACLE AT MOUNT HOREB.
His chosen people faint with thirst,
A dreadful, lingering death in view;
Exhausted in the wilderness,
Their Maker saw, and pitied too.
Anguish, and pain, and deep despair
Seized every tortured soul.
"Ye are the objects of my tenderest care;
Fear not, my people!—be ye whole!
Smite thou the rock!" Jehovah said.
A river flowed, as Moses prompt obeyed.
A dreadful, lingering death in view;
Exhausted in the wilderness,
Their Maker saw, and pitied too.
Anguish, and pain, and deep despair
Seized every tortured soul.
"Ye are the objects of my tenderest care;
Fear not, my people!—be ye whole!
Smite thou the rock!" Jehovah said.
A river flowed, as Moses prompt obeyed.
Type of that spiritual Rock
Which after ages should behold,
From whence a stream should issue forth,
Refreshing the chief Shepherd's fold,
That Rock was Christ,—that saving stream
Was life, and health, and peace,
Which all his church derive from him;—
That stream shall never cease.
"Smite thou the Rock," Jehovah said,
And Pilate all unconsciously obeyed.
Which after ages should behold,
From whence a stream should issue forth,
Refreshing the chief Shepherd's fold,
That Rock was Christ,—that saving stream
Was life, and health, and peace,
Which all his church derive from him;—
That stream shall never cease.
"Smite thou the Rock," Jehovah said,
And Pilate all unconsciously obeyed.
