Dedication Poem of the Bethel (Wis.) School.
In the days when ancient Israel
Passed from Egypt’s plague-scourged shore;
When the hosts of God were marching
To the promised land before; When they gathered at Mount Sinai,
Where the thunder tones were heard
Of Jehovah’s voice proclaiming
Their redemption through his word,— It was then God gave to Moses
What his children should be taught,—
How the lessons they were learning
Should with heaven’s truth be fraught,—
Gave the tribe of Levi wisdom,
Turned this sacred trust their way,
That they might thus teach the wisdom
Of their God from day to day. Israel had her schools of prophets,
Where the youth were taught of God,
On the hills of old Judea,
Where the greensward stretched its sod;
Where the cedars of Mount Lebanon
Spread their shade o’er hill and plain;
Where the fig and fir and olive
Drank of heaven’s dew and rain. Not in crowded schools and classrooms,
Not amid the city’s noise,
Not where sin vaunts its corruption
Would God rear his girls and boys;
Not from heathen works of wisdom
Would he have his children learn;
But from earth’s great book of nature,
That their hearts for him might yearn. You remember how Elisha
Taught on Gilgal’s quiet slope,
Back amid the trees and flowers,
Where, of God, all nature spoke;
How he showed each opening petal,
Every branch and leaf above,
Every bursting bud about them
Said, so plainly, “God is love.” Every night the vaulted heavens
Of his glory did declare,
While the firmament beneath them
Showed his handiwork was there.
Thus their youth were taught from nature,
In that quiet country place,
How to say, “Thou art my Father,—
I behold thee face to face.” It was then God blessed his people,
For we read how this school grew
Till the students asked the prophet
If they might not build anew—
If they might not go to Jordan,
Where more timber could be found,
Where they there could fell the forests,
And might cultivate the ground. So they took their tools and hammers,
Borrowed axes, as we read,
For they did not have sufficient
To supply the students’ need;
And we’re told how one, while chopping,
Lost his ax ’neath Jordan’s wave;
How this borrowed tool was rescued
From its dark and watery grave. And, again, we’re told in Scripture,
How, when lacked these students bread,
How the brethren sent provisions,
That the hundred might be fed;
For although they toiled and labored,
Each to do with willing heart,
Yet God gave these brethren ’round them,
Thus, a chance to do their part. So, to-day, back here in Bethel,—
Here amid these forests grand,
Like those hills of old Judea,
Like that sacred Holy Land,
Here, amid these streams and hill-slopes,
Far from any city’s strife,
Are these students daily learning
Lessons of the higher life. God has placed this school in Bethel—
God has placed these scholars here;
God has given us these teachers
That we all hold doubly dear.
How our hearts did burn within us,
As last night these students told
How they’d found the Saviour precious,
Nearer far to them than gold. Brethren, God hath wrought this wonder,
And ’tis marv’lous in our sight;
May he help us, brethren,—help us,
Now to use this gift aright.
As we go among our churches,
Let us gather in the young,
Let us tell them of the praises
That last night these pupils sung. Let us tell again the story,
Till our youth shall fill each hall,
Till, for still another college
There shall come a mighty call;
Till, as in the days of Israel,
Schools shall be on every hand,
And the glory of this message
Shall be seen through all our land. Father, to thy care and keeping,
Do we dedicate this school.
Wilt thou take it, Father, take it,
And be thine the right to rule.
May thine angels ever linger
In these halls by night and day,
May thy Spirit guide these teachers,
Guide each scholar, day by day. And at last when thou shalt gather
All thy people to thy home;
When the exile captives hasten,
Here on earth no more to roam;
When our Saviour crowns his servants,
When the school in heaven shall call,—
May we then each hear thy welcome,
“Teachers, scholars, parents, all.”