Tempering her gifts, that seem so free, By time and place, Till not a woe the bleak world see, Eyes to the blind, and to the lame To humbled souls, that sink for shame, Leads them the way our Saviour went, Nor yet his Holy Spirit sent Ten days th' eternal doors display'd Were wondering (so th' Almighty bade) Whom Love enthron'd would send, in aid Of souls that mourn, Left orphans in Earth's dreary shade Open they stand, that prayers in throngs Where stands the Healer of all wrongs The golden censer in his hand, About Him winged blessings stand A little while, and they shall fleet With all that sacred is and sweet, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, all Till their high deeds the world appal, WHITSUNDAY. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts ii. 2, 3, 4. WHEN God of old came down from Heaven, Before his feet the clouds were riven, Around the trembling mountain's base A day of wrath, and not of grace; But when He came the second time, He came in power and love, Softer than gale at morning prime Hover'd his holy Dove. The fires that rush'd on Sinai down In sudden torrents dread, Now gently light, a glorious crown, Like arrows went those lightnings forth And as on Israel's awe-struck ear So, when the Spirit of our God Came down His flock to find, A voice from Heaven was heard abroad, A rushing, mighty wind. Nor doth the outward ear alone At that high warning start; Conscience gives back th' appalling tone; 'Tis echoed in the heart. M |