Who Is This So Loved Of Yore?

Who is this so loved of yore Shyly tapping at the door? Striking off the icy chain That the earth may thrive again. Wooing violets in the dale To their faces fair unveil; Bidding all the world rejoice In the music of her voice.

See the farmer grasp the plough, ’Tis the day of sowing now; Hark the robin’s happy call Keeping house by yon gray wall; Hear the brooklet’s note of glee Dancing to the eager sea Read the message of the King In the hand of Lovely Spring.

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS.

Christmas thoughts how pure and sweet, Christmas joys how fair! Oh, the mysteries, we meet, Smiles are everywhere. Gifts are found in cosy nooks Never sought before, Precious gems in toys and books Hide behind the door.

Pleasant wishes finely wrought In the simplest way, Into trophies Santa brought In his magic sleigh; Bid the tender heart expand At a treasure found, Fashioned by affection’s hand And by mercy crowned.

Christmas thoughts they give delight While with care we cope, Brightening the darkest night With the star of hope. Oh, when earth friends are so dear, Earthly joys so sweet, Then indeed is heaven near, Life itself complete.

Christmas thoughts what jewels rare, On the soul’s white shrine; Beautiful beyond compare, Sent by Love Divine. But the greatest gift of all Comes that happy day When we hear the Saviour call:-- “Trust me and obey.”

BEAUTY OF THE SOUL.

Beauty offers every day, Gifts to cheer us on our way; Blessed treasures from above Free as heaven, fair as love. Cast in beauty’s purest mold All things great and good behold, Which eternally will bide, Earthly stay, Jehovah’s pride.

Watch the wise bird, mark the nest, Builded slow, and sure and best; Builded low or builded high, Winds will vainly whistle by. See the wayward without care How they fickle fortune dare, Shattered homes and blighted hopes Hurl them down life’s rugged slopes.

Seek the promise of the hour, Nurture to its fullest flower; As we train the vine of youth So will bloom the bud of truth. Note the lily in the shade Pining for the sunny glade; What in all hereafter years Will avail the too late tears?

BRIGHTER HOURS.

Heavy though the rain drops fall And the claps ring long and loud. Brighter hours will come to all As the sunlight gilds the cloud.

WILLING TO SERVE.

Willing to serve if serve I may, Willing to serve mid twilight gray; Willing to serve with heart and hand Obeying the Divine command. Willing to serve with weary feet, Willing to serve, to serve is sweet, Willing to serve for well I know The prize my Master will bestow.

BANNERS WAVING.

Flags a-waving, trumpets blowing Tides of feeling, ebbing, flowing. “On to battle! on to glory!” Tell again the wondrous story. Patriotism brightly burning, Tempered by a wise discerning. Town and State together crying:-- “On to Richmond! time is flying!” Fateful summons, who could falter? Laying all on Freedom’s altar, “Forward! March!” proclaimed the nation, Why, the words were an ovation.

Bugles tarnished, banners tattered, Bullet scarred and bruised and battered. Home they came with martial bearing, Home to cheer the hearts despairing; Home to children, wives and mothers, Home the living. (But the others.) On they came and eyes were tearful, Many eager, many fearful; Banners waving, drums a-beating, Happy hearts, a happy meeting. And hearts “too sad to be alive;” Oh, thus it was in sixty-five.

Flags a-waving, bugles blowing, Honor’s meed to worth bestowing. Laurel wreathes and roses blending, With the lily’s breath ascending; Offer tribute true and tender, Tribute to each brave defender For his country’s future caring, Firm! heroic! noble! daring! Soldiers, sailors, freemen listen Till thy cheeks with feeling glisten; By the banner waving o’er thee, Must Columbia adore thee.