Part 5 (1/2)

Down the long line of two-score years I looked and saw at last, The blissful view from Pisgah's height; the Jordan safely pa.s.sed;

And heard--as Memnon's harp had caught the sweet enchanting strain, And sent adown the waves of time brave Miriam's glad refrain--

”Sing, for the Lord hath triumphed; sing, great wonders can he do; The Lord is mighty and can save by many or by few.”

I saw again, when sin-enslaved, by Jabin's hand oppressed, A people's cry went up to G.o.d for rescue and for rest.

Then up rose Deborah, judge and seer, with all her valiant band, And drove the oppressor from her gates, his chariots from her land.

And Jael, wife of Heber, slew his captain with the sword; So woman's hand achieved that day the victory for the Lord.

And woman's voice extolled in song the great Deliverer's name:-- ”Praise G.o.d! He hath avenged His own, for willingly they came.

”The mountains melt before His face, the tribes their strength renew; The Lord is mighty and doth save by many or by few.”

I saw when Gideon led his band down to the water's bank To prove and set them in array, as man by man they drank,

And with the handful chosen thus went forth against the foe, And vanquished all the Midian host, and laid their princes low.

Not with the thousands called from far, who pitched by Harod's well; Nor yet the undismayed who stood when the faint-hearted fell;

But ”Now, with these three hundred men, go forward,” said the Lord; ”Do thou thy part, let them do theirs, trust, and obey my word.”

Their torches flashed like dancing flames, their trumpets loudly blew; Strange warfare! but the Lord can save by many or by few.

Once more I saw when Israel quailed before Philistia's pride; While great Goliath, day by day, Jehovah's power defied.

The weak and timid fled away, the valiant shrank with fear;-- 'Twas threatened death or dire defeat, and life and fame are dear.

Even Saul, their chosen king, forgot (admiring Israel's boast!) That he stood head and shoulders high above his martial host.

”And are there none,” he cried, ”who dare to meet this vaunting foe?

And must the banner of our G.o.d trail in dishonor low?”

Then forth there came a ruddy youth: ”That banner I'll defend; Be it not said our G.o.d hath none on whom He may depend.

”Let no heart fail to-day because of this Philistine's boast; The battle is the Lord's and He will vanquish this proud host.”

Then spake he to the giant foe: ”A loyal servant I Of Israel's G.o.d, whose holy name thou darest to defy.

”In that dread name I charge thee stand, and s.h.i.+eld thee as thou may; The fowls of air, the beasts of earth shall feast on thee to-day.”

'Twas but a pebble from the brook, sent by a loyal will; But sword and spear not mightier were G.o.d's purpose to fulfil.

For one may chase a thousand, and ten thousand flee from two; The G.o.d of right is strong to save by many or by few.