Much will he hear of glory, much of shame. Naught must I
conceal, and naught gloss over.
'I must tell how in the plains of Tigris I upraised the sacred standard
of our chosen race, and called them from their bondage; how, despairing
of his recreant fathers, and inspired by human power alone, I vainly
claimed the mighty office for his sacred blood alone reserved. God of
my fathers, grant that future service, the humble service of a
contrite soul, may in the coming glory that awaits us, atone for past
presumption!
'But for him great trials are impending. Not lightly must that votary
be proved, who fain would free a people. The Lord is faithful to his
promise, but the Lord will choose his season and his minister. Courage,
and faith, and deep humility, and strong endurance, and the watchful
soul temptation cannot sully, these are the fruits we lay upon his
altar, and meekly watch if some descending flame will vouchsafe to
accept and brightly bless them.
'It is written in the dread volume of our mystic lore, that not alone
the Saviour shall spring from out our house of princes, but that none
shall rise to free us, until, alone and unassisted, he have gained the
sceptre which Solomon of old wielded within his cedar palaces.
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