The Shunammite

I

The Shunammite, oppressed with grief,
When she had lost the son she loved,
Went to Elisha for relief,
Nor vain her application proved.

II

He sent his servant on before,
To lay a staff upon his head;
This he could do, but do no more⁠—
He left him as he found him, dead.

III

But when the Lord’s almighty power
Wrought with the prophet’s prayer and faith
The mother saw a joyful hour⁠—
She saw her child restored from death.

IV

Thus, like the weeping Shunammite,
For many dead in sin we grieve.
Now, Lord, display thine arm of might,
Cause them to hear thy voice and live.

V

Thy preachers boar the staff in vain,
Though at thine own command we go.
Lord, we have tried and tried again,
We find them dead, and leave them so.

VI

Come then thyself⁠—to every heart
The glory of thy name make known.
The means are our appointed part,
The power and grace are thine alone.