ICHABOD by Lillian S. Connerly

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 21, 1913

ICHABOD

By Lillian S. Connerly

"The glory is departed." Israel's day Of woe has come. Eternity alone Can fathom all the depths of awful doom Those words reveal. Shadow of death where once was light of God; Well say the sorrowing women, Ichabod.

O Israel, thy tents had once been fair. How amiable thy tabernacles were! Thy situation beautiful, the joy Of all the earth. Mount Zion which God loved Had sent her daughters forth in song and dance To tell of all thy comeliness. The queen Of Sheba came to hear the wisdom of Thy mighty king, and witness gave to all That half had not been told. Thy goodly land and Lebanon were known Through all the earth, and marveled at, and praised.

From whence thy greatness, glory, knowledge, power? From whence such wisdom midst a band of slaves? From whence?—From heaven; for, in thee the God Of heaven had found a dwelling-place. In hearts Made humble and devoid of earthly pride The Almighty One did tabernacle, Dispensing heavenly fragrance o'er the earth.

O Israel, hadst thou known in thy great day The things pertaining to thy peace, thou still Hadst kept thy heart in all humility, And trusted in thy God. But, O, the pity! Lifted up in pride of borrowed beauty, Spoiled by vain philosophy of heathen rites, Thou hast forsaken all that made thee great. Thy God is driven from His dwelling-place. Despised and barred from entrance to thy heart, His presence has departed. Ichabod— Well say thy sorrowing women, Ichabod.

Ancon, C. Z.