The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Original AoEtrg
4 cHRIsqMAs cARRoL.

4 cHRrsTM4s CARROLL
written for ,hs.Dsmoeg.4e advocate
pr oaAs. 7. yereHT.
Alone with my 81 e. musings ll,,,..l
sat in the fry gsgnI : grow
: paneed rance r,<fily over the snow,
wni,e ~ "a touch Of silver,
"l'a W.. lere brilliant spark,
ra,sshere the icy crystals
IRE flashing in the dark.
Xronnd me the light ofmy chamber
4 shed warmly its softened glow,
While the restless shadows above me
Were moving to and fro.
Ny mind was crowded with faneies
Asmy eyes were watching the light
ofthe cheerful fame before me
That burned with luster bright
when quickly radiant spirits
Seemed filling my room and my SOUL
They were singing a song that thrilled me
with rapture / could not control.
Entraneed 1 sat and pondered
This mystery unsolyed,
While through my mind these questions
Wererapidly revolved:
.swho are these happy singers?
Whence have they come in glee2
why choose the dreary 1cinter
To sing their songs to me?
Why chant their notes of gladness
When nature lieth dead?
When fierce storms Of December
Howl DER her hoary head?
When moaning winds are filling
The dark night with tale
Ofnaked fields and woodlands
That souhdeth like wall?
When hands and hearts seem frozen
BY that dread icy breath
That chills the streams to silence
And lulls their songs in death
E'llr me from my stupor,
These spirits sure will know
What brings them here to greet me
With faces all aglow
I'll sit nc longer silent
The mystery seems deep,
That shrouds this visitation
Perehance I am asleep.
Hong to have this mystery
Into my mind revealed
/ turned to speak, but silence
My eager lips had sealed.
Iusf then . toueh invisible
was laid upon my sleeve,
Aud voice OF music whispered,
"To-nfght q Chyistmds Ere
We've come to bring you greeting
From our noble, loving King,
His natal day approaches,
These are his songs we sing.
The earth tonight is ringing
With notes of human praise,
And Heavens high vaults are sounding
With sweet angelic lays.
The nations all are bowling
Before common shrine.
In fellowship are blending
The human and dlrine
a race led up from darkness,
A world brought back to light,
Bends loR in grateful homage
BEFORE its King tonight.
From north to south are pealing
Deep iron throated bells,
From sea to sea an anthem
Ofrejo.cing proudly swells."
With eager joy ] answered,
"Thriee welcome are ye here
Thrice welcome are your tidiBgs.
And the glorious hope they bear
Abide until the morrow,
why wander further on?
The day you love approaeheth-
The night is nearly gone"
ave dare not rest nor tarry.
Our message is from Heaven;
1T must ere dawn of morning,
To all tfe earth be given.
We've other homes TO visit.
We've messages to bear
TO hearts in which are thFobbing
The pulses of despair
20 chambers where bereayed ones
With footsteps sad and slow,
About their shrouded darlipgs
In desolation go.
No burden we can tighten,
No pain we can Allay,
Must weigh on human bosOms
Through all the Christmas day"
stay not then, blessed heraids!
Spread wide the news of peaeeI
Bid perfect love and joy on earth.
Good lciH 10 men increase.
Let swift-winged mercy bear you;
Go. .freighted rich with love,
Tell all who grope in darkness
There's tight for them Adore"
I paused to catch their answer
No form nor sound was there,
But far away sweet refrain
Was trembling on the air.
! started up in wonder,-
For ! bad slept and dreamed,
Until the morning sunlight
Sato my chamber beamed.
The CIriasRde bells were ringing
Out on the frosty cir,
Their swelling notes proel%iHfng,
Chrrst's herdJds had been there
.rtsl0pn Academy, Dec IL. 1883.