PART III. THE GOSPEL. A CHRISTMAS HYMN. ALFRED DOMETT. It was the calm and silent night! Held undisturbed their ancient reign, 'T was in the calm and silent night! 6 Triumphal arches, gleaming, swell His breast with thoughts of boundless sway; What recked the Roman what befell A paltry province far away, Within that province far away Went plodding home a weary boor; O strange indifference! — low and high The world was listening unawares! One that shall thrill the world for ever! To that still moment none would heed, Man's doom was linked, no more to sever, In the solemn midnight, Centuries ago! THE CHRISTMAS BELL. It is the calm and solemn night! A thousand bells ring out, and throw The darkness, charmed and holy now! The peaceful Prince of earth and heaven, THE CHRISTMAS BELL. ROBERT P. ROGERS. LONG ages it hath been ringing Since the angels sang by night, And the star bent over the manger With its benison of light. I hear the stream of its music It comes on the air of winter, 63 But every ear that will listen To some it comes as a warning That will strengthen the feeble spirit, While to many, the young and happy And to others, the pale and weary Like the dropping of autumn leaves. To the wretched, the sorely tempted, To the bowed, subdued by sorrow, It comes with the voice of blessing, And whispers hope for the morrow. But to all of us wandering pilgrims DANGER OF PRAISE. 65 Bringing us sweet assurance Of the love of earthly friends, And so will the angel music, And our dreams of untroubled slumber, The star of joy and of promise As it shone in Bethlehem's sky. DANGER OF PRAISE. KEBLE. LYRA INNOCENTIUM. And he confessed and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ." WHEN mortals praise thee, hide thine eyes, Take to thyself his crown and prize; Yet more in heart than tongue. |