The Rock of Wisdom; An Explanation of the Sacred Scriptures/The Ark
THE ARK.
Dear brothers and sisters, we love one another,
And have done, for years that have gone;
How often we've met him in sweet heavenly union,
Who opens the way to God's throne;
With joy and thanksgiving we'll praise him that lov'd us,
While we run the bright shining way;
Though we part here in body, we're bound for one glory,
And bound for each other to pray.
There Joshua and Joseph, Elias and Moses,
Who pray'd and God heard from his throne.
There was Abram, and Isaac, and Jacob, and David,
And Solomon, Stephen and John.
There was Simeon and Anna—I don't know how many,
Who pray'd as they journey'd along;
Some cast among lions—some bound with rough irons;
Yet praises and glory they sung.
Some tell us that praying, and also that praising,
"Is labor that's all spent in vain:
But we have such witness, that God hears with sweetness;
From praying we will hot refrain.
There was old father Noah and ten thousand more,
Who witness'd that God heard them pray;
There was Samuel and Hannah, Paul, Silas and Peter,
And Daniel and Jonah, we'll say,
That God by his Spirit, and angel did visit
Their souls while in this happy frame.
Shall we all go a fainting, while they went a praising,
And glorified God in a flame!
God grant us inherit the same, praying spirit,
While we shall be toiling below,
That when we've done praying, we shall not cease praising
But around God's throne we shall bow.
[And now pious friends, when you read these lines which have been penned by me, think of me in solemn prayer; let me be on land or sea, I intend to stand for liberty, for Christ has set me free.]
For this love let rocks and mountains;
Purling streams and crystal fountains:
Roaring thunders, lightning blazes,
Shout the great Messiah's praises. Amen.