'But 'tis not thus thy calmer doubts esteem The loving-kindness that with open hand Dispenses bounty in perennial stream. Oft hast thou proved, while in a foreign land A sojourner, as all thy fathers were, Thou pacest painfully the barren sand, How o'er thy path watches a Comforter, And scatters manna daily for thy food, And bids the smitten rocks that barrier The arid track, well out with gurgling flood, And oft to shade of green oasis leads, And, from pursuer thirsting for thy blood, Such scanty shelter as is thine provides: And though full oft that shelter fails, and though Its torn defence demoniac glee derides, Yet not for this the cheerful faith forego, That memory of uncounted benefits And conscious instinct's still, small tones bestow. Charge not thy God with aught that unbefits Tenderest compassion, nor believe that He With hardened apathetic scorn commits A favoured people throughout life to be Subject to bondage. Doubt not of His will To rescue from that galling tyranny. Yet, if in His despite creation still In thraldom groan and travail--what remains? What but that strength is wanting to fulfil His scheme of mercy? What but that He reigns, Not as sole wielder of omnipotence, But, o'er a world unconquered yet, maintains Encounter with opposing influence, Which He shall surely quell, but which can stay, Awhile unquelled, His mightier providence. 'And doth this sadden only, or dismay? Grieves it that He, whose follower thou art, Rules not supreme with unresisted sway? Or that, the progress of His grace to thwart, Satanic might the host of hell arrays? And doth it not a thrill of joy impart That not alone need barren prayer and praise Thine homage be,--thy choicest offering The formal dues prescribed obedience pays? Henceforth with firmer step approach thy King. Some puny succour, thou, in thy degree, Some feeble aid, thou, even thou, mayst bring! In the fell conflict raging ceaselessly Around, thou, too, mayst join--thou, too, engage In that dread feud, twin with eternity, Which faithful angels and archangels wage Against the powers of darkness, to extend, O'er realms retained in demon vassalage, Their sovereign's pure dominion,--and to blend All worlds beneath one righteous governance, Into one kingdom which shall have no end.