On the Death of a Minister

His master taken from his head,
Elisha saw him go;
And in desponding accents said,
“Ah, what must Israel do?”

But he forgot the Lord who lifts
The beggar to the throne;
Nor knew that all Elijah’s gifts
Would soon be made his own.

What! when a Paul has run his course,
Or when Apollos dies,
Is Israel left without resource,
And have we no supplies'

Yes, while the dear Redeemer lives,
We have a boundless store,
And shall be fed with what He gives,
Who lives for evermore.

Olney Hymns, William Cowper, from Cowper’s Poems, Sheldon & Company, New York