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The humble followers of the Nazarene
In silent awe gazed on the wondrous scene;
Beheld their Lord in power and glory rise
Up the bright pathway of the parting skies;
And while they strove with piercing eyes in vain
To catch one glimpse of that dear form again,
Two angels left the bright and heavenly shore,
And messages of joy and love they bore.
Oh, glorious message to that faithful band,
Who on the mountain's top bewildered stand!
Oh, glorious sound to every ransomed soul,
From sea to sea, from spreading pole to pole
In every age, oh, tell the tidings o'er—
"That very Jesus shall return once more!"
Hark! angel-voices rend the vaulted sky,
In thrilling tones those shining angels cry,
"Why stand ye gazing on yon glistening dome?
Heaven has received your risen Master home!
The time will come, when, as ye saw him rise,
He shall descend in power the parted skies."
THE HEBREW'S LAMENT.
Thou art the land of all my dreams,—
Thy wanderer's heart is thine,
And oft he lingers by thy streams,
O holy Palestine!
A stranger in a stranger's land
O'er hill and vale I roam;
But hope forever points her hand
Towards my father's home.
They tell me that on Zion's hill
The Cross and Crescent shine:
But oh, my heart is with thee still,
Beloved Palestine.
I know that Israel's weary race
Are scorned on every shore,
And scarcely find a dwelling-place
Where they were lords before.
Yet, 'mid the darkness and the gloom,
A light begins to break;
O Israel, from the dreary tomb
Thy buried hopes awake,—
And lips that raise the fervent prayer,
"How long, O Lord, how long?"
Shall change the wailings of despair
To the triumphant song.
And I may live to see the hour—
The hour that must be near,—
When in his royalty and power
Our Shiloh will appear.