Merry Christmas

Composed by Mrs A. McReynolds, and read by hei at the Christmas Eve festival in the Umtarian Church. Hail, birth-renewed unconquered sun, Which we unwilting celébrate ; Anti with the aücients join as one, Thy brighteniug rays to reinstate. ïhat ancient world's increasing light, Knew, too, St. Jolin'8 decreasing elimo ; But still we seem to view tliis night, As oue unitmg bond of time. But wiser now, our answering prayor Would bless all souls as one to-day ; Would free all hodrts i'rom wintry care; Aud bring to all a brighter ray. We turn to that iimuortal eye, Which Argus lost not in the fray, Wheu Mercury swept from the sky, All other tokens of his sway ; The star of Bethlehem, which guides The traveler as in days of yore ; To where the child of tove resides, The home of truth forevermore ; That wondrous, brilliant, heavenly star, Which leads the mariner in joy, To shilling realms of hope afar, Where he may iind, without alloy, The cherished prize, the golden fleece, Whicti all may spin and weave, to wear In bright, unbroken robes of peace, Eeflecting joys that all may share. And therefore on this merry eve, We light with httle Argus eyes "l'he Christmas tree, that none may leave Without their merry Christmas prize. Amalthea's horn of plenty still By soft, pale moonlight rays of love, With childhood's honeyed bon-bons flll, Like dewy blessings fiom above. Thus Eve with loving mother's care, Prepares for us a merry time ; Bestowing presents rich and rare, While Santa Claus riuga out his chime. Thus brilliaut stars illurae the way, Untii the sun of suns arise, And ushers in a Christmas day, Whose glory filis all worlds aud skies.