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Title: Jephthah's Vow
Author: Sarah S. Mower [
More Titles by Mower]
The warrior left the battle field,--
Jehovah there had been his shield,--
He heard his solemn vow.
The foe had in confusion fled,
While thousands on the field lay dead,
All, all were vanquish'd now.
Though that brave heart was cased in steel.
Which flashed forth wrath that all might feel,
Who Israel's right oppressed;
Yet, in its sacred chambers rose
As pure a flame as ever glows
Within a parent's breast.
He turned him to that sacred spot,
Where one loved being shared his lot,--
(It was an only child;)
Though long she'd wept and quaked with fear,
When "victory," fell upon her ear,
She wiped her eyes and smiled.
Like as the lark outspreads her wings,
And, while she's soaring, sweetly sings
To charm the listener's ears,
The maiden, springing from her seat,
Flew forth, her coming friend to greet.
Her father now appears.
As her light footsteps pressed the ground,
Melodious music floated round,
Forth gushing from her heart.
"Alas! my child," the father sighed,
"What sent thee here, my love?" he cried,
"To tell that we must part?"
"Thy father made a solemn vow,--
He sees, he feels his error now,
Yes, made a vow to God;
And he will claim my darling now,
He bids me pay that awful vow,
And pay it with thy blood."
"But how can I thy life destroy?
Thou art my solace, hope, and joy,
My cherished only child."
The lustre beaming from her eye,
Seemed caught from radiant orbs on high,
So brilliant, yet so mild.
"Pay to the Lord thy vow," she said,
"God's altar is a pleasant bed,
From thence to heaven I'll rise.
The Lord has answered thy request,
Israel is free, our land at rest,
I'll be thy sacrifice."
* * * * *
"Like a lost sheep I have gone astray."--Psalms.
Like sheep that wander far astray,
Nor ask the shepherd's care,
Did I forsake the narrow way,
Nor seek my God in prayer.
I wandered in a desert wild.
Where snares beset me 'round;
Trifles and toys my feet beguiled,
And all my senses drowned.
Though clouds encompassed me around,
In darkness on I sped,
Still wand'ring on enchanted ground,
Till hope seemed almost fled.
I murmured, at the righteous hand
That held the chast'ning rod,
Like one that could not understand
The precepts of his God.
Well might the Father's smile depart,
The Savior hide his face,
And God, the spirit, shun my heart,
That foul polluted place.
We never find the heavenly dove
Perched on an idol throne;
Those, who would share Jehovah's love,
Must worship him alone.
* * * * *
"And the vail of the temple was rent in twain."--Scripture.
Come, with your guilt and sin oppressed,
In Christ there's pardon, peace and rest;
Come, humbly bow before his feet,
No vail conceals the mercy seat.
Come, boldly to a throne of grace,
The vilest here may find a place,--
For that dark vail was rent in twain,
When Christ, the heavenly lamb, was slain.
Come, rear no altar, slay no beast,
Our Savior now is great high priest,
He rent the vail, to make it plain,
That free access should hence remain.
[The end]
Sarah S. Mower's poem: Jephthah's Vow
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