The progressive farmer and the cotton plant., 1904-12-20

NOAu III III O"A
"1oved long since and lost awhile" AS we place
wreaths of holly among the violets and trailing
ivy that cover the lowly bed of the dear sleeping
dust, in fancy we feel "the touch of a van
ished hand" and hear the sweet sound OF "a
voice that is still" and we are comforted. Safely
sheltered with Him whom they trusted; He whose
birth we now celebrate, they are waiting for us.
Sometime, beyond the stars and setting sun, we
hope to meet where there is no night, no parting
and "the inhabitant shall not say, [ am sick"
There comes to us, from the quaint folklore
of the devout peasants of the Hartz Mountains,
a very beautiful legend: "In the days of Caesar
Augustus it was tax-paying time in the city of
Bethlehem and thither came all who were OF the
lineage of David to pay the heavy dues imposed
by the Romans. Near the walls of the town dwelt
Ir, the gate-keeper, with his wife and little
daughter Ruth. The kick of a mule had made the
little girl a pathetic figure with hunched back and
shrunken limbs, but she was gentle and loving
with a smile like the sunshine.
"There came to the gate a stranger, Leading a
snow-white mule, on which sat the dropping
figure of a woman. Il have told YOU said lr, to
the man, there is not room for a mouse IN the
Inn I care not for myself, but for my wife, he
replied. Filled with pity, the lame child whisp-
cred to her mother: The oxen sleep under the
stars these nights and the straw in the cave is
clean; l made a bed there for my white lamb
Gladly l will rest there said the pilgrim, as he
lifted his wife from the beast. The mother and
Ruth hurried to bring porridge and new milk.
The Star, on that might of all nights poured a
glorious light on the little town of Bethlehem.
"'The next morning three men, grandly dressed,
rode to the gate and asked little Ruth: 'Canst
thou tell lis, child, where is He that is born King
of the Jews? We have followed His Star from
out the cast and have come to worship Him. L
NOV of no King replied Ruth; but l nave seen
the Star. Angels came last night while the Star
Wa oh1oS. o~l ia n hoh- ~ 0r~ roon~nr 20 q
there beside my white lamb The Child, the Star
and the Lamb said the stranger, bowling his
head. E'Tis the sacred three; we have found our
quest
"The wife of Ir led them to the cave where lay
the mother and the Babe; with great JOY the
men worshipped the Babe and gave Him costly
gifts. i wish | might give Him something,' said
little Ruth, as she carried fresh milk to the moth
er. Will you take my white lambY The mother
smiled, and gently lifting the Babe, placed Him
in the arms of the little maid.
"The Star waXed dim in the skies over Bethle-
hem and passed away; but little Ruth grew
almond trees in her fathers orchard, and all that
saw her marveled. Tt was the light of the stars
said the wife of Ir. But the little maid knew that
it was the touch of the blessed Christ-child that
made her we'll"
So to-day the touch of the risen Christ makes
US we'll.
90 little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep.
The silent stars go by
Yet, in thy dark street shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
"For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond'ring love.
y morning stars together,
Proclaim the Holy Birth;
And praises sing to God the King,