| When Israel, of the Lord beloved, |
| Out from the land of bondage came, |
| Her fathers' God before her moved, |
| An awful guide in smoke and flame, — |
we may also offer the prayer which concludes the same hymn: —
| And oh, when gathers on our path, |
| In shade and storm, the frequent night, |
| Be Thou long-suffering, slow to wrath, |
| A burning and a shining light. |
Revelation xii. 7, 8. And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon; and the Dragon fought, and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
The Old Testament assigns to the angels — that is, divine messengers — different offices. Michael's characteristic is spiritual strength. He leads the hosts of heaven against the power of Satan, and fights the holy wars. Gabriel has the more quiet task of imparting a sense of the presence of ministering Love to mortals These angels deliver us from the depths.
Truth and Love come nearer in the hour of woe, when strong faith, or spiritual strength, wrestles and prevails, through the understanding of God. The Gabriel of His presence has no contests. To ever-present Truth there is no error — no sin, sickness, or death. Against such the Dragon warreth not long, for he is killed by the divine impulse, Truth and Love prevail against the Dragon, because the Dragon cannot war with them.
Revelation xii. 9. And the great Dragon was east out, — that old Serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth
