The Press., 1884-12-25
CHRISTMAS BELLS.

In the night heard them crying, Falling into sobbing, signing, Answering with low replying, # ''Lo ! for eighteen hundred years We have cried at Christmas-tide Throwing out our hope worldwide, Peace peace! O earth that hears! "Peace! peace beneath the star That, lamp-like, guides afar Those eastward pilgrims grey! Gifted, empowered, as never were Choice balsams of the fir, Their frankincense and myrrh Poured at the feet of her Who holds the wondrous Child. Down through the ages dark and wild The ragged wounds of strife, The red wine of spent life, Shall staunch, and save, and stay. Goodwill! goodwill! (we cried), No more of wrath or pride; All pilgrims meet beside The lowly, crad1ed King! Come ye from hut and palace, Drink now from one same chalice, Drop now envy and malice, Brothers beside the manager. Goodwill goodwill 1 to stranger, To beggar, outcast, ranger,
 With honest right hand bring 'Yet, these eighteen hundred years We, aloft, have seen deaf ears Turned to widows, orphans tears We have seen the heart-sick fears Of the scorned and desolate
 We have seen the tyrant's heel Grind warm flesh beneath it's steel, Enough the suppliant low might kneel, And entreat his heart to feel; We have seen the starving die, And his brother standing by Show no pity in his eye Friend stab friend, and mate stab mate. We this voice are weary lifting, Der the masses shifting, drifting; They but spurn the royal gifting." On the air caught the echo 1 Of their signing, faint and wierd, low, Where they ywaited-watchmen olden- And looked down with solemn sorrow, And looked up, some hope to borrow, For the yet delayed tomorrow,
 Where the eastern star hung golden. All the night I sat wondering; All the night sat a pondering; But when dawn's white rose made room, Budding mutely through the gloom, I, the sexton, rose up cheerful, l And to all the faint and fearful,
 All the lonesome and the fearful, Bade the bells their burden carry, On their errand make no tarry,
 But through all their roadsteads airy, With voice of hope and cheer, Steady, even, loud and clear
 Only the same old tidings OCT,
 The same old story tell orce more,
 With the frosts of ages hoar,
 Yet the same, behind, before.
 Then together they cried out, With full and fearful shout;
 And the rapt Ire of their lay,
 Thrill ed through dreams of happy sleeper Thrilled through grief of lonely weepers, Thrilled through ward of vigil-keepers, Bringing purer, tenderer, deeper :.tt Greeting to the Lords Birthday. ' ''Peace goodwill The Prince now bol Cones but to the lost, forlorn; Leave that royal honse, the; hnks's, Leaves it's courts of holy rest, ]. Leay es it's cfoirs all whitely. drests x Leaves the guests-the pure, the 'bltstassa And for our very need doth send fsfS Angels their songs of peace to bend; Aye, for our sakes doth cond6soend To come and be himself otrFfriend. Peace goodwill such gifts he brings, ''Peace goodwill 1 They never tire Hymning in the heavenly choir.
 Peace goodwill! we hopeful cry; But let the gloria rising higher
 Wake supreme OCT all desire,
 Spread from heart to heart it's fire So shall all life be turned to heaven, All rusty clamps of Satan riven, And earth, so long in discord driven, Swing to it's rhythm, by and by! l Dec. 11th, 1s6S