65 GOOD TIDINGS TO ZION Isaiah lii. 7 On the mountain's top appearing, God Himself will loose thy bands. Has thy night been long and mournful? Zion still is well-beloved. God, thy God will now restore thee; All thy foes shall flee before thee; Zion's King vouchsafes to send. Enemies no more shall trouble; All thy wrongs shall be redressed; For thy shame thou shalt have double, In thy Maker's favor blest; All thy conflicts End in everlasting rest. THOMAS KELLEY 66 HABAKKUK'S PRAYER Habakkuk iii. 17-18 Yet though the fig-tree should no burden bear, Forever praise Thy name; Forever Thee proclaim The everlasting God, the mighty King of kings. WILLIAM BROOME 67 HYMN OF PRAISE Habakkuk iii. 17-18 Praise to God, immortal praise, For the blessings of the field; Flocks that whiten all the plain; Clouds that drop their freshening dews; All that Spring with bounteous hand Yet should rising whirlwinds tear Though the sickening flocks should fall, Should Thine altered hand restrain Vernal showers and latter rain; Still to Thee our souls shall raise ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD 68 RUTH'S ANSWER TO NAOMI Ruth i. 16-17 Entreat me not, I must not hear, The hearts most dear to us are gone, Thy people shall my people be, LUCRETIA DAVIDSON 69 BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST It is night. and, save the Daniel v Nature has bowed to the inevitable, low moaning of the far-off sea, the lisping leaves awakened by the night-breezes, and perhaps an occasional gurgling of the gliding Euphrates, all is hushed and still. But what of man? Behold! from the towering domes of the city of Babylon, myriads of lights gleam and flash defiance to the darkness and to the watchful stars, which so lovingly bend over all. The hum and quiver of excitement prevail in every dwelling, but in the royal palace are gathered the proudest of the proud, the gayest of the gay, the lords of the land. All the pomp and splendor, all the wealth and the luxuries that lands e'er produced are lavished upon them. Can words paint the grandeur of the scene? High on the throne, in jewelled robes, King Belshazzar reigns, while brawny slaves bow in his presence in trembling adoration. Gorgeously apparelled lords are grouped around him, while before them all the bounties of the earth are spread. The rich perfume of spices mingles with that of rare flowers. Wave upon wave of thrilling music echoes and re-echoes in that massive hall and swells far out into the night. It is King Belshazzar's midnight feast. |