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“But he (Elijah) himself went a
day’s journey in the wilderness, and came and sat
down under a juniper tree; and he requested for
himself that he might die, and said, It is enough;
now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am not better
than my fathers.” “And, as he lay and slept under a
juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him; and
said unto him, Arise, and eat.” “And he looked, and
behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a
cruse of water at his head, and he did eat and
drink, and laid him down again.” “And the angel of
the Lord came again the second time, and touched
him, and said, Arise, and eat, because the journey
is too great for thee.” (1 Kings xix. 4-7, and 2
Kings ii. 11.)
Thou child of God! oh, be
it thine to know—
Though sad thy lot, though deep soe’er thy wo,
Though desolate thy path, though weak and lone—
Thy God regards thee, for thou art his own.
Angels are round thee when thou art most drear;
Thy tears they see, thy faintest sighs they
hear;
They leave their heavenly Paradise above,
To aid thee with their presence and their love.
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There is no spot so sacred, none so blest,
As that whereon the holy people rest.
In grief Elijah laid his weary head
Beneath a tree; when near his lonely bed
A beauteous presence stands, whose radiant form,
Like a bright rainbow after heavy storm,
Betokens peace; so, most serenely bright,
His soul is touched with pure, benignant light.
The lovely form! the mild, majestic mien!
In which a tender sympathy is seen.
“Arise, and eat; the journey is too great,
Thy patience fails thee, trust in God and wait!”
Thus felt, thus looked the messenger divine,
While soft compassion in his face did shine.
Beloved of God! thou dost not comprehend
Thy sacred mission and thy glorious end.
Oh, Israel! seek to know, and thou wilt find
Thy God in every breeze, in every wind.
Like thee, Elijah, was sent forth to prove
“The Lord is God,” and none but He above;
Like thee, Elijah, was oppressed by foes,
With none but God to cling to in his woes;
Like thee, he was discouraged and distressed,
But with His faith, like him thou wouldst he
blest.
Oh, wondrous faith! when earth and heaven are
thine,
When barren rocks and caves with beauty shine!
Elijah rose; again erect he stands,
And eats the food prepared by angels’ hands;
With heavenly might imbued, he walks along,
And sighs are changed to most melodious song.
How wonderful God’s dealings with his own!
That “still, small voice,” that most angelic
tone,
Seemed to Elijah too divinely sweet
To sound on earth, for mortal ear to meet.
He hides his face; but ah! not yet is come
That glorious transit to the prophet’s home.
O child of God! afflicted, think of this,
A day awaits thee, ‘tis a day of bliss,
When God decides if earth or heaven shall be
The fittest place of happiness for thee.
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A thousand chariots at his bidding rise
To bear thee up in triumph to the skies;
A thousand “ministers of flaming fire,”*
Who wing their way through heaven at his desire.
See, where it comes, the fiery coursers fly,
The gorgeous car is riding through the sky;
His angels, breathless, stand and take their
post,
To greet Elijah ‘mongst the heavenly host.
Hark! ’tis shout of triumph! glory shone
A momentary blaze, and he is gone!
R. E. S.
Sept. 1849. |
