In the wilderness it witnessed,
On the heavenly pattern planned,
The alone divine oasis
In an arid barren land ;
And the ransomed of Jehovah
In their tribal tents lay spread
Round the holy habitation,
With the glory-cloud overhead.

By the blood from judgment sheltered,
Safe beyond the whelming flood,
From the Pharaoh task and bondage
Brought to serve the Living God.
But, although He dwelt amongst them,
And a mercy-seat His throne,
Still the veil remained unriven,
And the Father's name unknown.

For the tabernacle-service,
With its offerings day by day,
Could not purge the guilty conscience,
Could not take the sin away.
All the ritual but foreshadowed,
And the varied types portrayed
God the Son in incarnation,
The atonement He has made.

Holy rite and sacred symbol-
Offerings, linen fine, and gold-
Of Immanuel's grace and glories
Of the Son of Man foretold:
Of the One who, lone and lowly,
All the way of sorrow trod-
Now High-priestly Intercessor
In the sanctuary with God.

Holy mystery of His Person-
Shittim wood with gold overlaid;
While Redemption's radiant riches
Silver beauteously displayed.
Gospel grace and Kingdom glories
By the veil and curtains shown-
God incarnate, suffering, reigning-
Cross of shame and kingly throne.
When the Holiest was entered
With the incense and the blood,
All of Christ to come betokened,
Great High Priest and Lamb of God.
He, the Offerer and the offering,
He the beaten incense sweet,
Altar, ark, and hidden manna,
And the sprinkled mercy-seat.

Passed away the types and shadows-
Rent the inner veil in twain-
Yet the veil o'er unbelieving
Israel's heart doth yet remain,
While the priestly sons have access
To the Holiest on high,
God's fore-chosen earthly people,
Now Lo-ammi, scattered lie.

But the voice of their Redeemer
Shall repentant Israel hear;
And Messiah, once rejected,
Shall in glorious power appear.
All His enemies subduing,
He shall reign as Zion's King,
And to Israel and the nations
Every earthly blessing bring.

W. L. G.