Manna Hoarded

I

The manna, favour’d Israel’s meat,
  Was gather’d day by day;
When all the host was served, the heat
  Melted the rest away.

II

In vain to hoard it up they tried
  Against to-morrow came;
It then bred worms and putrified,
  And proved their sin and shame.

III

’Twas daily bread, and would not keep,
  But must be still renewed;
Faith should not want a hoard or heap,
  But trust the Lord for food.

IV

The truths by which the soul is fed
  Must thus be had afresh;
For notions resting in the head
  Will only feed the flesh:

V

However true, they have no life
  Or unction to impart;
They breed the worms of pride and strife,
  But cannot cheer the heart.

VI

Nor can the best experience past
  The life of faith maintain;
The brightest hope will faint at last
  Unless supplied again.

VII

Dear Lord, while we in prayer are found,
  Do thou the manna give;
Oh let it fall on all around,
  That we may eat and live!