“Mother of Ishmael! The word that God hath spoken Never hath failed the least, nor was His promise broken. Whether in judgment threatened or as blessing given; Whether for time and earth or for eternal heaven, To Esau or to Jacob.... The patriarch prayed to God, while bowing in the dust: ’Oh that before thee Ishmael might live!’—His prayer, his trust. Nor was that prayer despised, _that_ promise left alone Without fulfillment. For the days shall come When Ishmael shall bow his haughty chieftain head Before that Greatest Chief of Isaac’s royal seed. Thou, favored Solomon, hast first fulfillment seen Of Hagar’s promise, when came suppliant Sheba’s queen. Next Araby the blest brought Bethlehem’s newborn King, Her myrrh and spices, gold and offering. Again at Pentecost they came, first-fruits of harvest vast; When, to adore the name of Jesus, at the last To Zion’s glorious hill the nation’s joy to share The scattered flocks of Kedar all are gathered there, Nebajoth, Hefa, Midian.... Then Israel shall know Whose heart their hardness broke, Whose side they pierced, Whose curse they dared invoke. And then, while at His feet they mourn His bitter death, Receive His pardon.... Before Whose same white throne Gentile and Jew shall meet With Parthian, Roman, Greek, the far North and the South, From Mississippi’s source to Ganges’ giant mouth, And every tongue and tribe shall join in one new song, Redemption! Peace on earth and good-will unto men; The purpose of all ages unto all ages sure. Amen. Glory unto the Father! Glory the Lamb, once slain, Spotless for human guilt, exalted now to reign! And to the Holy Ghost, life-giver, whose refreshing Makes all earth’s deserts bloom with living showers of blessing!” * * * * * “Mother of Ishmael! I see thee yet once more, Thee, under burning skies and on a waveless shore! Thou comfortless, soul storm tossed, tempest shaken, Heart full of anguish and of hope forsaken, Thou, too, didst find at last God’s glory all thy stay! He came. He spake to thee. He made thy night His day. As then, so now. Return to Sarah’s tent And Abraham’s God, and better covenant, And sing with Mary, through her Saviour free, ‘God of my life, Thou hast looked down on me.’”