THE ALTAR OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS
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The grace that enkindled and quickened the darkness of
hell with flame
Bade man, though the soul in him sickened, obey, and
give praise to his name.
The still small voice of the spirit whose life is as
plague's hot breath
Bade man shed blood, and inherit the life of the kingdom
of death.
"Bring now for blood-offering thy son to mine altar, and
bind him and slay,
That the sin of my bidding be done": and the soul in
the slave said, "Yea."
Yea, not nay, was the word: and the sacrifice offered
withal
Was neither of beast nor of bird, but the soul of a man,
God's thrall.
And the word of his servant spoken was fire, and the
light of a sword,
When the bondage of Israel was broken, and Sinai
shrank from the Lord.
