No  man  could  count  the  thousands
Inside  the  city  wall:

For  none  but  heard  and  answered
The  King's  inviting  call.
36


"O  God  of  Hosts!"  prayed  Solomon;

"This  temple  to  Thy  Name,
We  offer  with  our  service,

And  all  with  loud  acclaim
Beseech,  today,  Thy  blessing.
And  every  day,  the  same.
"This  temple  which  my  Father
Had  planned  to  build  to  Thee,

And  which  my  eyes  unworthy
Have  had  the  grace  to  see.
How  little  in  comparison.
Of  Thy  eternity!

"What  is  our  Holy  of  Holies,
Tho*  formed  of  purest  gold,

And  guarded  by  the  Cherubim
Wrought  in  the  finest  mould,

Since  e'en  the  Heaven  of  heavens
Thy  greatness  cannot  hold!

"But  show  O  God!  Thy  mercy
And  let  our  every  prayer

Within  these  sacred  walls  be  heard
Thy  suppliants  ever  spare.
We  are  Thy  chosen  people.
Thy  blessings,  let  us  share."

*  5}=  *

In  this  old-time  Scripture  story,
I  have  read  our  history,  too.
Our  wars  were  early  struggles
Which  needed  heroes  true,

Whom  affection's  magic  wand,  today,
Will  gladly  bring  to  view.
37


We  look  back  years  now  fifty

And  name  the  trials  all.
Want  stood  where  means  were  needed

To  meet  the  Master's  call,
When  the  plaints  of  the  afflicted

On  their  sorrowing  ears  would  fall.
Oh,  could  we  count  the  labors,
The  prayers,  the  fasts,  the  deeds.
The  sacrifice  of  spirit,

The  vigils,  sufferings,  needs: —

Then,  heroes,  each  would  name  them
As  the  history  she  reads.
Perseverance  marked  their  footsteps:
Every  print  we  now  can  trace:

For  the  Valiant  Women  onward
Pressed,  with  earnest,  godly  pace,

That  we  might  follow  safely

Who  are  called  to  take  their  place.
