THE ark of God has hidden strength; Who reverence or profane, They, or their seed, shall find at length The penalty or gain. While as a sojourner it sought Of old its destined place, A blessing on the home it brought Of one who did it grace. But there was one, outstripping all The holy-vestured band, Who laid on it, to save its fall, A rude corrective hand. Read, who the Church would cleanse, and mark How stern the warning runs; There are two ways to aid her ark -- As patrons, and as sons |