, 1881-12-25

| Forgive ye? No. he cried and upright stood,
:'Ye we're SO young" Dtd'st thing o my gray
r. hairs2 -. ~
Yer mothers tearsa The honest name "a
No, no, my lass, xe've made another nest, " =. !.
Go bdc SO there: the bird who sang in this !. !.
Is dead.":- - Father: To ye i am none
:js..s> such, ->>:::: y
An by that higher name. whose hand has smote
Me sore, here: ~: : .5.=1 ~: (. ~
>;z +: 81 Forgive rs, Lord. aawe !.
The sins Of others do ourselves forgive: -
Now mark me, Giies.''. the prisoners voice wa9
kind, n: ~: II: -
III each and ev'ry fault OUT lives hare known :.
Could DO before the world wide open laid, +: =
How many Of us could the ordeal bear2 "
l Nay, Is there one In this created world - ..~
OF all the millions which it holds, but one -
Who, we're the question to hin homewasd put, :.
Could answer from his soul, know NOT stu'2s'*
Then is it meet that, not being free ourselves.
We cen should dare to Judge that sin eiseWharaf
Or, being bliuded, should In others see ~.
unmasked that foulness which our tender pride
or self could never to that self reveal? Es~:;
And Judge 80 not that Judged not ye be, !.
And In the face Of that august command: r
Then wonldst thou take on thy unworthy SELF -:
| Those attributes which God alone hath clain'd
As Maker and Creator OF mankind, 1855 H.
The great and one Eternal Judge OF all, "
And judge this poor, unhappy giri, thy child,
Thou, thro' God the author Ut her beiuK.* g.. /. "
All, friend, let time but take thee back apace
When first the touch Of baby fingers woke II: e.: !
Within thy manhood that mysterious thrill {. =: =:
Of parentagc. and when, in later days,
Thy home, aud heart, and life the brighter grew
Tnro this one gift intru5ted to thy care +: r.
And how thou waited for her happy voice.
The little wayward feet upon the stair w..
The kiss for father when the day was lone- III:
FAuxr
Wiring from thy heart the mem ~, good Or Ill,
OF this thy child, and that she Is thy child2 w.;
Could ali the justice which thy will might wield
Repay thee for you mothers broken hearth VII:
AS did pledge my word unto the child ="
And here he laid his hand on Bertha's head, : +:
"When in the storm She sought my house to-
|: - night ~. >-*..::. *::. -.s
That with you her advocate would be, +:.:. !.
now ab1ure you that you mercy yield ~: +:
AS You for mercy hope OIL that great day !. =
Wheu God shall judge according to your Deeds
AS On this eve JUST twenty years ago S.< :
My hands were first to place her In your arms;
Your GIFT from God L bade you call her rhens
So now pray you, in His Holy Name, :. ...:
Receive FROM them your Christmasgtft again.
And Christian charity and all goodwill -: ::&
And peace be In your heart ana home thlR
IT, njgnt' ..* * - :: MI: - = Z:
He ceas'd, tor Margery had now drawn nigh.
Yet patient stood, so that be might proceed, =
Till, with cry which could be ne'er forgot
So full Of gsadness, weary hears-acho, joy:
Above it all a longing sweet for rest, II: :.=:..
The wanderer to that safer haven turned :: .
Whose ono unerrlng light has never faird IN
From that young morn when first the tiny crafty
Is aunch'd with fears upon the sea OF life c.>';
Until the stately ship, ut close Of day.:
Shall cast tts anchor In the welcome port
Only to find the beacon shedding still
The sacred light OF morher-love and trust
Blessed are they who peace shall make on earth
Then surely did the blessing kindly fall IL
On him who, standing mid the little group, r.,
Had brought such great and lasting, peace to
::~ them- ~: ~. s::.::;::. I'll:
:" God bless 30 parsou; I beant so hard =: :..==,.
That Christian words an Christian lore shul fail
To touch my 'eart this nofght> Coam :ere, my lass
An that thou wilt abide WI US, why then -.;.,
ALI things shall be to ye rs ouce they were,-
An joy coam to yer mothers cart an nlne....:
Aye, put your arms about my neck, just so;* r.:
SEQ yer do the trick remember ret. - :-: &: f..
Now, now, my BARN, God bless ye, an doant CRY.
Ye ne'er shall leave yer fathers breast again.
Be sure o. that, an praises ever be = st i:t .s
To Him whose love il round about us al. :
r: : ::::. .
nGn aaytnr paus sns aoof
s.,,i, ~ T.. y<,34,
p1ss -: !.
q q te. soo4 LIZ - - 1Atet ~ oto - Sa.tEer