  I saw when Israel toiled and groaned beneath the Pharoah's rod, And in his hopeless bondage moaned his helpless prayer to God. I saw when from the river's brink the infant leader rose, I heard him at the burning bush his swift excuses bring: "Who, who am I, that I should stand before the Egyptian king? "And who am I that I should lead the people of thy choice? My warning word they will not heed, nor hearken to my voice. "And who am I that I should move a monarch to relent? I, but a man, and slow of speech, nor wise, nor eloquent." I marked the answer: "Plead no more thy vain excuse to me; I am the Lord; my servant thou; my glory thou shalt see. "I am the Lord; the power is mine; 'tis thine to hear and do; The Lord almighty is to save, by many or by few." The man of doubt exchanged his fears for faith in God and right, While meek obedience on his brow sat like a crown of light. The slow of speech grew eloquent, till Israel gladly heard; And he in fierce displeasure drove the captives from his land; Not knowing their deliverance was all divinely planned. Down the long line of two-score years I looked and saw at last, The blissful view from Pisgah's height; the Jordan safely passed; And heard—as Memnon's harp had caught the sweet enchanting strain, And sent adown the waves of time brave Miriam's glad refrain— "Sing, for the Lord hath triumphed; sing, great wonders can he do; The Lord is mighty and can save by many or by few." I saw again, when sin-enslaved, by Jabin's hand oppressed, A people's cry went up to God for rescue and for rest. Then up rose Deborah, judge and seer, with all her valiant band, And drove the oppressor from her gates, his chariots from her land. And Jael, wife of Heber, slew his captain with the sword; So woman's hand achieved that day the victory for the Lord. And woman's voice extolled in song the great Deliverer's name:— "Praise God! He hath avenged His own, for willingly they came. "The mountains melt before His face, the tribes their strength renew; The Lord is mighty and doth save by many or by few." I saw when Gideon led his band down to the water's bank To prove and set them in array, as man by man they drank, And with the handful chosen thus went forth against the foe, And vanquished all the Midian host, and laid their princes low. Not with the thousands called from far, who pitched by Harod's well; Nor yet the undismayed who stood when the faint-hearted fell; But "Now, with these three hundred men, go forward," said the Lord; "Do thou thy part, let them do theirs, trust, and obey my word." Their torches flashed like dancing flames, their trumpets loudly blew; Strange warfare! but the Lord can save by many or by few. Once more I saw when Israel quailed before Philistia's pride; While great Goliath, day by day, Jehovah's power defied. The weak and timid fled away, the valiant shrank with fear;— 'Twas threatened death or dire defeat, and life and fame are dear. Even Saul, their chosen king, forgot (admiring Israel's boast!) That he stood head and shoulders high above his martial host. "And are there none," he cried, "who dare to meet this vaunting foe? And must the banner of our God trail in dishonor low?" Then forth there came a ruddy youth: "That banner I'll defend; Be it not said our God hath none on whom He may depend. "Let no heart fail to-day because of this Philistine's boast; The battle is the Lord's and He will vanquish this proud host." Then spake he to the giant foe: "A loyal servant I Of Israel's God, whose holy name thou darest to defy. "In that dread name I charge thee stand, and shield thee as thou may; 'Twas but a pebble from the brook, sent by a loyal will; But sword and spear not mightier were God's purpose to fulfil. For one may chase a thousand, and ten thousand flee from two; The God of right is strong to save by many or by few. ***** Years, ages pass and now I see a land beloved and fair; And lo! a cruel enemy hath gained possession there. The riches of this goodly land into his coffers pour; Insatiate and unscrupulous, his constant cry is "More!" "More money clinking in my till, more men—my licensed prey; More boys to feed my traffic when these men have passed away." Thus man is robbed of purse and soul, home of its peace and joy; The wife of husband is bereft, the mother of her boy. The land doth mourn. On every side the spoiler hath his way; And who, like Moses, will exchange his self-distrust and fear For faith to meet the encroaching foe and check his bold career? And who, like Deborah, will arise and lead a valiant band To drive the Tyrant from her gates, the Traffic from her land? Who will, like Gideon and his men, the light of truth dare throw On darkest evil, and the trump of coming victory blow? Or who, like David,
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