The Christian Year, the Book

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT. What went ye out into the wilderness to see ? a reed shaken with the wind ? . . . But what went ye out for to see ? a prophet ? yea, I aay unto you, and more than a prophet. St. Mattliew xi. 7,9. What went ye out to see O'er the rude sandy lea, Where stately Jordan flows by many a palm, Or where Gennesaret's wave Delights the flowers to lave, That o'er her western slope breathe airs of balm'' All through the summer night, Those blossoms red and bright' Spread their soft breasts, unheeding, to the breexe, Like hermits watching still Around the sacred hill, Where erst our Saviour watch'd upon His knees. i Rhododendrons: with which the western hank of the lake- is said to be clothed down to the water's edge. The Paschal Moon above Seems like a saint to rove, Left shining in the world with Christ alone; Below, the lake's still face Sleeps sweetly in th' embrace Of mountains terrass'd high with mossy stone. Here may we sit, and dream Over the heavenly theme, Till to our soul the former days return j Till on the grassy bed, Where thousands once He fed, The world's incarnate Maker we discern. O cross no more the main, Wandering so wild and vain, To count the reeds that tremble in the wind, On listless dalliance bound, Like children gazing round, Who on God's works no seal of Godhead find: Bask not in courtly bower, Or sun-bright hall of power, Pass Babel quick, and seek the holy land? From robes of Tyrian dye Turn with undazzled eye To Bethlehem's glade, or Carmel's haunted strand. Or choose thee out a cell In Kedron's storied dell, Beside the springs of Love, that never die; Among the olives kneel The chill night-blast to feel, And watch the Moon that saw thy Master's agony. ...Read More