Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
December.
In many an antique homestead , far from where O ' erpeopled cities smoke , and toil and fume In ceaseless labour ; neighbour man to man Unknown in Mammon ' s or Ambition ' s race ; Still may thy gambols , CHRISTMAS ! bring to mind The high-enduring thoughts which mark thy time Nor all forgotten the hilarious games
With which our Fathers loved to pass thine hours-George and the Dragon—fair iEgypta ' s Queen—The Giant Soldan—and the Morris Dance—The mirth of age , the wonder of young eyes—Still keep their sway in many a rustic scene , Of our fair merry England ' s happy land !
Nor let the MASON , who , by Fortune blest , Has friends and comforts—elegance and peace—To bless his home and warm his happy heart , In thy dark hours neglect to aid THE POOR ! Who claim as Brethren succour at his hands , And in mute hope look up to him for aid . Sister of Mercy !—kindly Charity!—Twice-blessed giftwhose twofold influence sheds
, Alike on giver and receiver—joy , In this dread season , may ' st thou shed thy rays , Or to alleviate or remove distress—To aid the struggling—to raise up the fall ' n , And fill with comfort many a humble home !
Nor shall the love of Heaven to fallen Man Be e ' er forgotten , till appointed Time Hath run his race , and Earth ' s completed doom , Shall , in the fulness of salvation , bring Mercy to millions—mercy through their God ! From village Church—from high Cathedral fane , Praise and thanksgiving rise in choral strain .
Soon shalt thou pass , December ! soon again The new-born Year shall bring reviving spring ; Tbe new-decked earth with flowers rejoice once more , And the glad world with loud Hosannas ring ! Learn patience hence , thou ! whom untoward Fate Appears to press with stern adversity ! If guilt is stranger to thy faithful breast , Not always thus thine hours unblest will fly ;
The rolling Time shall give thee Joy again—Faith , Truth and Justice bring her in their train ! EDWARD BREWSTER , S . D . MOIRA LODGE
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
December.
In many an antique homestead , far from where O ' erpeopled cities smoke , and toil and fume In ceaseless labour ; neighbour man to man Unknown in Mammon ' s or Ambition ' s race ; Still may thy gambols , CHRISTMAS ! bring to mind The high-enduring thoughts which mark thy time Nor all forgotten the hilarious games
With which our Fathers loved to pass thine hours-George and the Dragon—fair iEgypta ' s Queen—The Giant Soldan—and the Morris Dance—The mirth of age , the wonder of young eyes—Still keep their sway in many a rustic scene , Of our fair merry England ' s happy land !
Nor let the MASON , who , by Fortune blest , Has friends and comforts—elegance and peace—To bless his home and warm his happy heart , In thy dark hours neglect to aid THE POOR ! Who claim as Brethren succour at his hands , And in mute hope look up to him for aid . Sister of Mercy !—kindly Charity!—Twice-blessed giftwhose twofold influence sheds
, Alike on giver and receiver—joy , In this dread season , may ' st thou shed thy rays , Or to alleviate or remove distress—To aid the struggling—to raise up the fall ' n , And fill with comfort many a humble home !
Nor shall the love of Heaven to fallen Man Be e ' er forgotten , till appointed Time Hath run his race , and Earth ' s completed doom , Shall , in the fulness of salvation , bring Mercy to millions—mercy through their God ! From village Church—from high Cathedral fane , Praise and thanksgiving rise in choral strain .
Soon shalt thou pass , December ! soon again The new-born Year shall bring reviving spring ; Tbe new-decked earth with flowers rejoice once more , And the glad world with loud Hosannas ring ! Learn patience hence , thou ! whom untoward Fate Appears to press with stern adversity ! If guilt is stranger to thy faithful breast , Not always thus thine hours unblest will fly ;
The rolling Time shall give thee Joy again—Faith , Truth and Justice bring her in their train ! EDWARD BREWSTER , S . D . MOIRA LODGE