Page:The spirit of the Hebrew poetry 1861.djvu/132

 In accordance with its intention and its external conditions, the piety of the Patriarchal era was individual, not congregative;—it was domestic, not ecclesiastical;—it was genuine and affectionate, not formal or choral, or liturgical:—it did not emulate, or even desire, the excitements of a throng of worshippers, assembling to "keep holy day," and making the air ring with their acclamations: more of depth was there in this ancient piety; and it may be believed that the worshipper drew much nearer to the throne of the Majesty on high than did the promiscuous crowd that, in after times, assembled to celebrate festivals and to observe national ordinances. On these conditions, namely—the renouncing of worldly ambition, and the restless imagining of a something better, supposed to be attainable by thought and labour; then the Patriarchal repose took its rest upon the hope and promise of a land—unseen—the land of souls, whereinto the servants of God are gathered, each in his turn as he fails from his place on earth. How desirable a lot might we now think this, if only its material conditions might be secured!—but they may not—this is not possible; for man is summoned to work, and to suffer; and the piety of meditative repose, and of conscious transit to the paradise of spirits, must give way to a piety that needs to be strenuous, self-denying, and martyr-like; and that must win its crown, after a conflict.

Nevertheless, this enviable lot having once been