Elijah’s Mantle

I

Elisha, struck with grief and awe,
Cried, Ah! where now is Isr’el’s stay?”
When he his honour’d master saw
Borne by a fiery car away.

II

But while he look’d a last adieu,
His mantle, as it fell, he caught;
The Spirit rested on him too,
And equal miracles he wrought.

III

“Where is Elijah’s God?” he cried,
And with the mantle smote the flood;
His word control’d the swelling tide,
Th’ obedient waters upright stood.

IV

The wonder-working gospel thus
From hand to hand has been convey’d;
We have the mantle still with us,
But where, O where’s the Spirit’s aid?

V

When Peter first his mantle waved,
How soon it melted hearts of steel!
Sinners, by thousands, then were saved,
But now how few its virtues feel!

VI

Where is Elijah’s God, the Lord,
Thine Isr’el’s hope and joy and boast?
Reveal thine arm, confirm thy word,
Give us another Pentecost!

VII

Assist thy messenger to speak,
And while he aims to lisp thy truth,
The bonds of sin and Satan break,
And pour thy blessing on our youth.

VIII

For them we now approach thy throne:
Teach them to know and love thy name,
Then shall thy thankful people own,
Elijah’s God is still the same.