Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-04-14

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THE BIRTHDAY ODE.
Clear was the sky, and deep the new. fallen
snow,
The keen north wind blew swiftly DER
the plain
Old DeFwarc'Hgentle current ceased to flow,
Fast bound In rigid winters icy chain.
| Nor yet the sable curtains of the night
Were opened on Aurora's clustering face,
The starslall twinkled, and serenely bright
The moon moved on with mild, majestic
grace;
While stretched at case upon his downy bed,
Arcverend priest his slnmbers did prolong;
Old Timewith nimble footsteps thither sped,
And thus addressed his monitory song.
"Rlst Teacher, rise Limp thine eyes.
Ana Jay dfowsy heart,
Attend, attend to thee, MY friend,
A lesson Ill impart;
TITS gone another fleeting year
or thy Gail life is flown,
OF all its deeds may none appear
But such as Heaven will own.
"Rise Teacher, rise Lift up thine eyes,
And lile's swift progress trace,
How oft the sun round thee has run
His annual rapid race.
Behold behold with twelve times three
come to mark thy natal morn,
The years that still remain to thee
Let virtues fairest fruits adorn.
With solemn knell the passing bell
Hath oft alarmed thy breast,
The warning givlng-preparc for Heaven,
Be virtuous, and be best"
The Teacher wakes, half raised, he looks
around
The lamp burned dim, twas silence most
profound;
Again his head rcclined, his eyes he closed,
And sumbers sweet his drowsy frame COM
posed,
When, 10 descending from the realms of
day,
Enrolled in light, Religion winged her way,
With aspect mild, and soft, persuasive
tongue,
The Heaven-born maid approached and
sweetly sung:
"Cease TO slumber, child of earth,
Wake, thou offspring of the skies
Knowest thou not thy two-fold blrth9
Son Of Christ and Adam, rise
Rise from doubt and darkness free,
Let not sloth thy powers restrain,
Heaven and earth contend for thee,
Grace and sin the war maintain.
Wouldst thou glorious garands winY
Wouldst thou end the baleful strife
Feed the child of God within,
Feed the flock with bread Of life.
Let thy bright example prove
Every truth Thy lips proclaim
BY the living bands Of love
All thy thoughts and actions frame,
Thus shall every birthday yield
Joys which earth can ne'er bestow,
Joys by Heaven alone revealed
In the breast of saints below"
Again he wakes, but wakes not as before,
Sleeps balmy calm can seal his lids no more,
His heart responds with joy serene, he
springs,
And thus on Bonded knees his matin sings
"God of life and God Of love
Aid mo with thy power divine,
Send thy spirit from above,
Save an helpless child of thine;
From natures gloom 10 Thee he cries,
From natures gloom oh bid him rise.
Jesus name forever dear,
Prosper every prayer make,
God Of mercy lend an ear.
Answer all for Jesus sake.
Father, Son, and Spirit blestl
Thy triune Godhead address.
Thanks to Thee for fayors past,
Thanks unfeigned Thy votary pays,
May those mercies ever last,
May they crown my future days
Every thought TO Thee inclined,
Every wish 10 Thee resigned,
Give me comfort in distress,
Give me patience after pain,
Give me strength when dangers press,
Human virtues arc but vain;
or all the gifts Thou hast In store,
Give me Thyself, | ask no more"