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!