WHEN forth from Egypt’s trembling hand, The tribes of Israel sped, And Jacob in that foreign land Triumphant ensigns spread . . .
The One, amidst their tent array, His royal dwelling made, And all along their desert way His guiding power displayed.
The sea beheld, and moved to obey, She rolled her waters back; And Jordan swift to make a way, Revealed their destined track.
What caused thee, O thou mighty sea, Why moved thy waves in dread? What bade thy tide, O Jordan, flee, To bare thy river bed?
O earth, before the God of grace, Be moved and tremble still; He makes the waste a watered place, The rocks, a gushing rill.
O Lord, amidst our churches stand, Thy royal presence show; And all along this desert land Thy guiding presence go.
George Burgess, 1809-66‡