A Famine of the Word

I

Gladness was spread through Isr’el’s host
  When first they manna view’d;
They labour’d who should gather most,
  And thought it pleasant food.

II

But when they had it long enjoy’d,
  From day to day the same,
Their hearts were by the plenty cloy’d,
  Although from heav’n it came.

III

Thus gospel-bread at first is prized,
  And makes a people glad;
But afterwards too much despised
  When easy to be had.

IV

But should the Lord, displeased, withhold
  The bread his mercy sends,
To have our houses fill’d with gold
  Would make but poor amends.

V

How tedious would the week appear,
  How dull the Sabbath prove,
Could we no longer meet to hear
  The precious truths we love!

VI

How would believing parents bear
  To leave their heedless youth
Exposed to every fatal snare,
  Without the light of truth?

VII

The gospel, and a praying few,
  Our bulwark long have proved;
But Olney sure the day will rue
  When these shall be removed.

VIII

Then sin, in this once favour’d town,
  Will triumph unrestrain’d;
And wrath and vengeance hasten down,
  No more by pray’r detain’d.

IX

Preserve us from this judgment, Lord,
  For Jesus’ sake, we plead;
A famine of the gospel-word
  Would be a stroke indeed!