Part 17 (1/2)

Come down! come down! sweet Comforter!

It was the promise of the Lord.

Come down! although we grieve Thee sore, Not for our merits--but His Word.

Come down! come down! not what we would, But what we need, O bring with Thee.

Turn life's sore riddle to our good; A little while and we shall see. Amen.

CHRISTMAS WISHES.

A CAROL.

Oh, happy Christmas, full of blessings, come!

Now bid our discords cease; Here give the weary ease; Let the long-parted meet again in peace; Bring back the far-away; Grant us a holiday; And by the hopes of Christmas-tide we pray-- Let love restore the fallen to his Home; Whilst up and down the snowy streets the Christmas minstrels sing; And through the frost from countless towers the bells of Christmas ring.

Ah, Christ! and yet a happier day shall come!

Then bid our discords cease; There give the weary ease; Let the long-parted meet again in peace; Bring back the far-away; Grant us a holiday; And by the hopes of Christmas-tide we pray-- Let love restore the fallen to his Home; Whilst up and down the golden streets the blessed angels sing, And evermore the heavenly chimes in heavenly cadence ring.

TEACH ME.

_Translated from the Danish of Oehlenschlager._

Teach me, O wood, to fade away, As autumn's yellow leaves decay A better spring impends,-- Then green and glorious shall my tree Take deep root in eternity,-- Whose summer never ends!

Teach me, O bird of pa.s.sage, this, To seek, in faith a better bliss On other unknown sh.o.r.es!

When all is winter here and ice, There ever-smiling Paradise Unfolds its happy doors.

Teach me, thou summer b.u.t.terfly, To break the bonds which on me lie.

With fetters all too firm.

Ah, soon on golden purple wing The liberated soul shall spring, Which now creeps as a worm!

Teach me, O Lord, to yonder skies To lift in hope these weary eyes With earthly sorrows worn.

Good Friday was a bitter day, But bright the sun's eternal ray Which broke on Easter morn.

THE END.