The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-26
THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER.


81 ~ siuctiy ath@sed to.
q THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER.
ID. T.
p The winter day was growing old
The evenings breath came hard and G
be f,reat Gseks of clouds with wings OF q
Shed feaihery spow-fakes on their way
c AID III ihe city streets among
rite troupe ol bfeez danced and sung
II y 1t th8ugh the frost was keen and bold
,And though the air was biting cold,
=. Thousand ga'ly stepping feet
- Went up and dowa the lighted street
'''s i thousaud hands, with pressure tight,
6.zflvrre gr1-ping presents rich and bright
Bor, thousand hearts were hssting home
at 10 hearts that longed lo see them come
pec Taf gsnirJu- eladness filed the AR,
IT Aui CBriztpas.eye vas every where.
Sweet Chri-tlua--eye. .srenely glad
ftn2 When ali the love that Jesns had
be For Iittl. ones. a. smiling, lie,
u,tVith bending head, ia kindness said
#AI sfF3rbid them not 10 come to me;
fi af.Yheu this sweet love, with little lack,
~, ems all al once reflected back,
''''1- the great sun. though long time set,
S-Sf. zqinst the clouds in -picndor crowds,
ded jad leaves IL trace OF glory yet
)rt. oVhen all the kind thoughts of the year
fently ich leaves the day wherein it lay.
les a, nd Co one blessed time draws near
-Nr here Is no space that can possess
,,,,b.3 many smiles of happiness;
n DAYS and nights could feel and see,
ve. low happy Christmas-eye would be
10 But il has not 50 sweet sound
yrh.b homes where children are not found (;
bo nd in one mansion rich and grand
orr, wife and husband hand in hand
bre,' ere sitting by the iire-light's glow,
aft,nd gazing on the streets below,
Bionnd with sad hearts unreconciled,
ere thinking of long lost child.
ir:ref can its heaviest hand employ
be + hen all around Is heard the sound
sara Silyery mirth and golden joy;
"a nd hearts that mourn oft heavier weigh
}sYbeu hearts that laugh are over-gay.
rs, on the Christmas cheer without
s'his lonely couple gazed about,
/ ss'Ehile huugering once again to greet
lrjihe reckless rush Of childish feet.
-. nstudied ease vas all abloom
tsbput the richly furnished room:
DE coal fires soft and languid glare
" r1te Comfort" on the tempered air;
fntu the walls great pictures hung,
.
II Igh mirrors, free OF stain or flaw,
u Here telling over what they saw;
nlA place the pleased eye could explore
II wealth had fingered there before.
80 vet, ia many a humber room,
Th,warmeF comfort fought the gloom,
slennI Happiness mere visits made
llei-lt more at home, aud longer stayed,
4
sb IL
Nbat ia the country, near a wood,
/ tide little old brown school-house stood,
lnal waited while the winter day
i yloked darker from its eyes OF gray,
te the rough door to open wide,
II noisy Youngsters rush outside.
ls.iie came sharply from within
h csuntrY schools peculiar din;
hb with clad shouts the children strodt
gh5h the dim day their winding way
aishehe white hard-beaten road,
the te. farm houses cheered the sight
rogr. Aalready glimmered bright,
s. W 3se<Aued. uuconscics.@ e.aee,
Apiw sasure dancing on each face.
II souzht the presents all to mind
Va they that eve were TO receive
OF ...fl.e early morning find.
"Oll Santa Claus" that famous King
Oi childish lore. was handled DER
And all the treasures he might bring
Plt look with shouts and faces gay
ley paySed poor house on the way,
nl a .,ytet Misunderstanding child
fauu, oug a window g lzed and smiled
To see the other children glad;
But her poor wisiful heart was sad.
Yoa children sho, with Laughter gay,
Aud ioy that CLEANS cen through youi
dreams,
Have presents on each festal day,
And. guarded by the efforts trne
Of those who love and cherish you,
I.aoI, forw dryi to the winters prime
H. to 4 sweet and JOYFUL time,
I'll in your calendar enrolled,
.4ch Christmas-day is marked with gold
- iity poor children who must grleve
because no presents they receive.
hev look ai yours with wistful eye,
ahen smile 10. view each token new,
48ui in their hearts they moan and sigh.
That night out little friendless one,
Nhen her poor evening meal was done,
Bowed low in grief her childish head
L pon the ragged poor-house bed,
Aud IN a sweet aud pleading tone
She made a short prayer all her own
30 Je.susi You who loved so we'll
4 zinc little ones of whom they tell
n Hhat when these came to You one day,
2 9ou would not have them sent away
Kou said to all those who believe
III they would ask they should receive.
40 Jesus please Tor me to lind
Two good nice parents, sweet and KIND,
And ask them il they viii not spread
some little presents by my bed,
That they my heart may cheerful make
To-morrow morning when l wake,
And be made as happy 50
A. other children that know"
hts said Amen" with reverence deep,
: Tossed her blue eyes and fell asleep.
Ill
sill sat the ehildlese couple where
The lights of luxury were fair
And. sill with thoughts all tempest-tossed
Each silent unused, with sad heart bruised
Upon the child that they had lost.
Bat listen with a sudden clang,
The lonily-speaking door-be1l rang,
kna 3 detectives face they viewed.